Padma Lakshmi, the iconic Top Chef alum, is turning up the heat at 55 with a bold new photoshoot for Marie Claire. The culinary queen stunned fans by going topless under an unbuttoned trench coat, paired with knee-high black boots and a sultry stare that lit up the lens. The shoot, styled with a minimalist yet provocative edge, featured Padma posing confidently on a table with a bed and houseplant in the background — a visual that quickly went viral across social media.
The Padma Lakshmi trench coat photoshoot has sparked a wave of admiration online, with fans praising her ageless beauty and fearless self-expression. Her long brunette hair flowed freely, and her makeup was a perfect blend of glam and natural, highlighting her radiant skin and signature features. The look has already become a trending topic under tags like Padma Lakshmi Marie Claire 2025, celebrity fashion over 50, and topless celebrity photoshoot.
This bold fashion moment comes two years after Padma stepped away from Top Chef following 20 successful seasons. In her interview with Marie Claire, she opened up about her decision to leave the show, saying, “I wanted to quit so that I could feed my brain and feed my spirit and my creativity.” Her departure marked the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new chapter.
Now, Padma is diving into a surprising new passion: comedy and improv acting. “I’m in improv right now; I’ve been doing classes for the last two years,” she revealed. “I performed at the Brooklyn Comedy Collective this past Saturday. It was daunting and exciting.” Her pivot into the world of comedy has fans buzzing, with searches for Padma Lakshmi comedy career, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, and celebrity improv performers on the rise.
While she’s best known for her culinary expertise and hosting chops, Padma has always had a creative spirit. She described her food career as “my version of waitressing,” noting that it took off in ways she never expected. Now, she’s reclaiming her artistic roots and exploring new forms of storytelling — from stand-up comedy to acting.
Padma also continues to focus on her Hulu travel and food docuseries, Taste the Nation, which has earned critical acclaim for its exploration of immigrant cuisines and cultural identity in America. She’s also working on new books and other creative projects, proving that her post-Top Chef era is just as dynamic and inspiring.
With Kristen Kish now hosting Top Chef, Padma Lakshmi is embracing reinvention with grace, humor, and unapologetic confidence. Whether she’s commanding the camera in a topless trench coat photoshoot or commanding the stage with a punchline, Padma is showing the world that age is no limit to reinvention — and that true beauty lies in boldness.
