The rumors have been confirmed. Us Weekly just reported that 39-year-old Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi is indeed pregnant.
“Model, author, and Emmy-nominated Padma Lakshmi confirms that she is carrying her first child after years of struggling with endometriosis, a cause for which she has co-founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America,” the rep tells Us of Lakshmi, 39.
“As a result of her condition, this pregnancy has been referred to by her physician as nothing short of a medical miracle, and due to its delicate nature, we ask/implore the press to respect Ms. Lakshmi’s privacy at this time,” the rep continues.
Yes, but on to the real question: who’s the baby’s daddy?
The baby’s father has not been revealed. Online reports have speculated Manu Nathan is the dad, but her rep denies that, telling Us he’s Lakshmi’s cousin.
Either way, this baby is gonna be one heck of a cutie. Congrats to the momma-to-be!Related posts: Padma likes them “thick,” Padma Lakshmi’s Rebound Billionaire!, Salman and Padma Escape Stupor, Separate, Not a Chef, But She Plays One on TV
damn, i was hopin that tyler perry would father her child!
May God bless her with a safe delivery.
I hope the father’s not Zafar Rushdie…
On the other hand, I’d love if the dad is Tom Colicchio.
I hope the dad is Leonardo the ninja turtle. I always like Leonardo.
in my family, this would NOT be deal-breaker 😉
congratulations to padma – i know how terrible endometriosis can be, so i am sure she is doubly overjoyed. and, hopefully, her condition will alleviate after this – pregnancy is often considered a “cure” for endometriosis.
I know, I wouldn’t have been super surprised to hear that either…
Congrats to PL ! That baby is going to be very well fed.
I have a friend who I tried to hookup with an ex’s friend years ago back in Surrey, BC and a few minutes into their conversation, they realized they were actually related. Maybe it was distantly or through in-laws, but still aaaaawwwwkkkwwwaard. They even ended up running into one another at some family functions. Geeeez. It’s pretty common for in-laws to get married (ie, my dad’s bro marrying my mom’s sis or cousin’s on each side getting married). It’s a running joke that there’s always the danger of being somehow distantly related to any other Indian in town.
Marriage between first cousins is not that uncommon in South India.
Giving birth completes – the incompleteness in ones life, Coming one full circle you will see life reborn again
Best wishes to Padma…
Marriage between first cousins is not that uncommon in South India. indeed. but it’s interesting how (at least in TN) there are restrictions on the children of same-sex siblings marrying (apparently, since sons only get their genes from their fathers, and daughters only from their mothers (vot?!)). in pakistan, though, i believe there are no such restrictions.
phillygrrl – did you mean that you wouldn’t have been surprised if PL hooked up with her cousin?
What if it is a baby boy and looks exactly like his father? (Lakshmi has dated guys who look average/old)
This is brilliant, someone here speculates about the father of her child and suddenly it becomes about cousin marrying South Indians 🙂 Only at SM
At least in my matrilineal, (usually fraternal) polyandrous community, I always assumed that was because the children of two brothers could be half-siblings, and the children of two sisters would be raised together as siblings.
On the other hand, I’d love if the dad is Tom Colicchio. considering PL is focused on the talent of her man, wouldn’t it be more likely that it would be somebody like eric ripert or joel robuchon?
perhaps it could be a sperm donor.
My mom likes Padma, but I haven’t told her the news because Padma isn’t married and I really don’t want to hear my mom’s opinion on this. Am I the only one who does weird stuff like this?
Possible fathers: 1. Emanuel Lewis 2. Screech 3. Mr. T 4. Vijay the actor of TN
“but her rep denies that, telling Us he’s Lakshmi’s cousin. in my family, this would NOT be deal-breaker ;)”
I’m actually Manu Nathan’s cousin but on the otherside of the family so I’m not related to Padma-though I did meet her for like two minutes many years ago.
TRUST ME, he is DEFINITELY NOT the baby daddy. They’re just really good buddies.
However, the whole family had a good time laughing about this this week. Goes to show just how crap tabloid reporting is.
LOL.
Ak, In Pakistan I believe it’s okay if you marry a cousin from your father’s side of the family, but not your mother’s side. Because THAT would be incestuous.(Interesting article I found re: that.)
Given her celebrity status and upbringing, that would’ve been a shock, actually. But I’m sure it’s not uncommon. I couldn’t find a Bollywood example – but there’s gotta be one.
@TTCUSM Marriage between first cousins is not that uncommon in South India.
Cousin is an English word. This cannot be applied to esp Hindus. We consider incestuous if one marries siblings of mother’s sister or father’s brother.Infact we consider them as brothers and sisters. But one can marry siblings of mother’s brother or father’s sister.
First cousin? No problem I say! All the vealth will be accumulated in family hands wonly.
Congrats to Padma! She is one one hot mama (and now literally!) – and from Chennai?! Incredible.
I know Manu – he’s def. not the father, he just happened to be seen with her in public at around the same time that it went public that she was preggers. Chillax people. Padma isn’t having her cousin’s baby. Considering she has the choice of just about anyone, i doubt she’s resorted to keeping it in the family.
Lakshmi, you’re not the only one.
“I know Manu – he’s def. not the father”
For real, He’s DEF not the Father…Padma is just really close with his whole family and they hang out in NY from time to time.
Having said that, I find this whole thing hilarious.
it was me
Whoring slut sleeps around and gets a baby out of wedlock. Back in Desh, she would be hanging off a tree. Ganesh in the room and everyone steps around this.
@27 Dear Gandhiji, I know you took a vow of celibacy, but you don’t have to take out your frustration on Padma Lakshmi by calling her names. Please take a deep breath and repeat ‘Hey Ram’ one hundred times whilst cleaning the communal latrines.
NOT MARRIED?! VHAT VILL THE COMMUNITY THIINK?!
I’m happy for her.
If it’s no big deal that she’s not married, what, oh what is left of “South Asian” culture? I mean, Chinese people also value education, Anglicans also value getting rich and running stuff (lol–like India!), Latinos also have strong family ties–I thought we were the marriage folk? I’m really an ABCD here. My parents hate this; I’m fine with it, but it does leave me thinking–just how desi am I?
All ethnicities get married believe it or not. and who the heck uses the word “Anglican” ?
Ordinary users of the English language.
‘Congrats’.. one girl is giving birth to a baby who doesn’t know who the father was.. and u r telling ‘CONGRATS’..
hats off to ur open mindedness 🙂
these 2 things arent the same thing. the family just isnt telling everyone who the dad is…
Congrats, Puli.
I wouldnt touch that with a 10 foot dosa…
@33 Praveen: ‘Congrats’.. one girl is giving birth to a baby who doesn’t know who the father was.. and u r telling ‘CONGRATS’..
No baby ‘knows’ who its father is, or cares. And for all those who are clutching their mangalsutras or poiteys over Padma Lakshmi’s unmarried mother status — Neena Gupta had a child outside of marriage about twenty years ago, in India. Everyone knew about it, yet nobody organised a lynch mob, so kindly get over yourselves.
so kindly get over yourselves.
Seriously, I’m amazed at some of the judgemental comments.
dan quale has a lot of free time on his hands.
Puli, do you have a 10 foot dosa?