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Padma Lakshmi Profile |
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Birth Date: 1971
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Birth Place: New Delhi, India
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Birth Name: Padma Lakshmi
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Height:
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Biography |
Born in New Delhi in 1971, Padma Lakshmi spent most of her
adolescence in the United States. From a very young age
Padma knew she was beautiful. In fact, she recalls having
worn her first seductive dress at only 9 years old. It was
always her dream to be a model.
Her mother, however, insisted that Padma get a college
degree first, telling her that if she was beautiful at 17,
she'd be beautiful at 21, with a degree in hand. Around this
time, Padma got into a serious car accident, which left a
7-inch scar on her right arm. This would become her
signature feature, that curious imperfection that makes her
all the more lovely and exotic.
She attended Clark University in Massachusetts and got a BA
in theater arts. Her last semester of college was spent in
Spain, where she landed her first modeling job. She also
caught the attention of Helmut Newton, a photographer
notorious for his stylish female nudes. Giant fashion mags
like Vogue, Elle and Glamour rushed to get her decadent body
in their pages as well.
After graduating, she moved to Italy for a few years, where
she co-hosted the TV show Domenica in Rai. She also trekked
across the international runways for such labels as Versace,
Armani and Ralph Lauren. While trotting the globe, Padma, an
unabashed foodie, picked up and compiled low-fat recipes
from every imaginable country. Her amassed culinary
adventures culminated in Easy Exotic: A Model's Low-Fat
Recipes from Around the World, a cookbook that became a
bestseller.
In her frequent returns to her subcontinent home, Padma
starred in two Bollywood films, Caribbeans and Sandokan: The
Darkness and the Light. She became so recognized in India,
that American studios tried to capitalize on her talents.
She was cast as Sylk in the 2001 box-office bomb Glitter,
with Mariah Carey. That same year, she guest-starred in an
episode of the Star Trek spin-off Enterprise.
In 2003, Padma starred in her biggest Bollywood flick yet:
Boom, the story of three Indian supermodels caught in a
diamond heist. But sadly for her, this movie tanked as well.
But box-office success (or the lack thereof) proved no
hindrance to the model's love life. She started dating
Booker Prize-winning author Salman Rushdie, with whom she
created a cinematic partnership.
Her cookbook sold so well that the Food Network gave her a
show, Padma's Passport, in which she travels the world
tasting the most exotic dishes imaginable.
Meanwhile, Padma is creating her own film production
company, Lakshmi Productions. Her first film is reported to
be based on a short story by the love-stricken 56-year-old
Rushdie, The Firebird's Nest. It will, of course star the
gorgeous Padma.
Padma Lakshmi currently lives in Manhattan, where she and
Rushdie have separate apartments. |
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Other
Information |
Speaks five languages.
Has a seven inch scar on her inside arm as a result of a
major auto crash that she was in as a child.
She hosts "Padma's Passport" on the Food Network based on
her popular cookbook, "Easy Exotic: A Model's Low-fat
Recipes From Around The World".
Officially announced engagement to author Salman Rushdie on
February 14, 2004, the 15th anniversary of the infamous
fatwa against Rushdie for writing the novel The Satanic
Verses.
Was discovered by a photographer while spending part of her
senior year studying in Spain and he convinced her to begin
modeling.
Attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
Wore a Luca Luca purple sari in her April 2004 wedding to
Salman Rushdie. |
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