SI Swimsuit Model Padma Lakshmi Has ‘Always Admired’ 2023 Cover Star Martha Stewart

Padma Lakshmi and Martha Stewart.Raymond Hall/Getty Images and Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

We love women supporting women, especially when it’s two SI Swimsuit models. Culinary personality Padma Lakshmi, 52, who made her SI Swimsuit debut this year after being photographed in Dominica by James Macari, gushed in a recent interview about her love for Martha Stewart.

The 81-year-old entrepreneur, mom of one and grandmother of two landed one of four 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue covers following her photo shoot with Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic.

Padma Lakshmi was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. 

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

“I mean, listen, if I’m still doing covers like she is at 80 plus. I mean, God, more power to her,” the Top Chef and Taste the Nation host told Page Six of Stewart. “And she’s always been someone I’ve admired, so why should this be any different?” 

The Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia founder made history as the oldest person to land the coveted SI Swimsuit cover.

“I thought, ‘This is kind of historic’ and ‘I better look really good because I want other women to feel that they could also be on the cover of Sports Illustrated,’” Stewart said of the feature while on location. “But I’m telling you, it’s very inspiring to take a look at a [picture by photographer] Ruven [Afanador] of Martha Stewart in the ocean here at Casa de Campo and see something really gorgeous.”

Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. 

Ruven Afanador/Sports Illustrated

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