Padma Lakshmi Wants to Be the ‘Funniest Person in the Room’

By Emma Chance | Celebrity | April 24, 2024 |

By Emma Chance | Celebrity | April 24, 2024 |

Is Padma Lakshmi funny? She thinks she is, because she’s developed a “hard comedy” series with Bridesmaids director Paul Feig, and is shopping it around. She talked about it to the New Yorker for a profile, but wouldn’t reveal the title or say more about the show, except that she’s planning to produce and star.

This comes after stepping down as host of Top Chef after 20 seasons “after much soul searching.” Alum Kristen Kish took her place for season 21 (and is doing a great job so far if you ask me). Now 52, Lakshmi is in a time of “professional uncertainty.” Her Hulu series Taste the Nation With Padma Lakshmi and its sister cookbook are up in the air.

“What attracts me to comedy is the same thing that attracts me to men who are witty. It’s the matter of how you want to spend your time,” she said.

These profiles are taking the stance that we’ve seen her “comedic chops” and “quick wit” during her Top Chef tenure, but I’m not sure what they’re talking about. She did a guest spot on 30 Rock a million years ago which I suppose proved she can read comedic lines. She described that character as a “heightened, ridiculous version of myself.”

She certainly appreciates good comedy, which she proved when she hosted the stand-up night “Padma Puts on a Comedy Show,” which featured LGBTQ comedians and comedians of color, like Michelle Wolf and Bowen Yang. But is having a good sense of humor the same as being funny?

@padmalakshmi Last night was one of the best nights of my career! I not only got to put up my charity comedy show for the fourth time, but I also did stand up myself FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!! I had a blast. I had the support and love of all my amazingly talented comedians and friends who not only turned up again for free to a packed standing room only Bell house, but they encouraged me to try a new performance muscle I had never used before. (A special thanks to Jesse and Sue who are the real bosses running this show! ) Both shows and sets were a bit different but the crowd couldn’t have been more fun and electric so thank you to our loyal audience who came in the rain on a Tuesday and stayed until Midnight. I love you all and you made my creative dreams come true!!!! @roywoodjr @Michelle Buteau @Reeezy @Zarnagarg @PUNKIEJOHNSON @Jay Jurden @larryowenslive @Phoebe Robinson @Jaboukie @Mike Birbiglia @Sydnee Washington @Kyle Kinane ♬ original sound - Padma Lakshmi

For now, she’s worried about her legacy, so she’s on a mission. “I don’t care about being the most beautiful woman in the room—I want to be the funniest person in the room,” she said. “That’s who stays with you. Beauty is not an accomplishment, but wit is.”