Both mother and daughter are at turning points.
Womanhood is not a single chapter, but a book with many stages.
For Padma Lakshmi and her daughter Krishna, those stages are unfolding under the same roof.
“I’m going through perimenopause, Krishna is going through puberty. It’s a lot of female energy,” Padma Lakshmi shared in a candid interview with Vogue.
At 54, Padma is entering perimenopause while exploring new creative spaces after stepping away from her two-decade-long tenure as host of Top Chef.
She is currently pursuing stand-up comedy classes, developing a new food show, and preparing to release a cookbook, embracing opportunities that reflect her evolving career interests.
For 15-year-old Krishna, the focus is on building her stage career.
She attends a performing arts high school in New York and has started auditioning professionally.
“This has been my plan since I was three. First this school, then Juilliard,” Krishna said, revealing her long-standing dedication to performance and her ambitions.
Padma and Krishna describe themselves as creative collaborators.
Padma helps Krishna run lines for plays, while Krishna gives her mother feedback on comedy material.
“She’s always telling me, ‘Mom, just use me in your stand-up. I give you permission’,” Padma recalled, emphasising the playful and supportive nature of their creative partnership.
Their collaboration extends online, where they cook, swap spice preferences, and tease each other on TikTok, blending humour with shared passion for food and performance.
Off social media, the duo debates stage directions, offers critiques, and laughs through the process, strengthening both their professional and personal bond.
“Our relationship with each other is the biggest part of our lives,” Krishna said, highlighting how much their bond stems from creative sync and shared experiences.
Padma reflected on how Krishna softened her view of motherhood.
Growing up in a strict Tamil family, she initially associated parenting with discipline rather than self-expression.
An aunt’s advice helped reshape her approach: ‘Show your child who you are, not just what you expect,’ giving her space to enjoy playful, creative moments.
This guidance led to moments like making tinfoil microphones for performances and watching Tina Turner videos together.
“That’s one of the best parts of being a parent,” Padma said.
Both mother and daughter are at turning points.
Krishna is building her identity, while Padma is redefining her next act, yet their connection remains strong and steady.
Perimenopause, a natural transitional phase before menopause, brings hormonal changes including irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep issues, but does not entirely preclude pregnancy.
Womanhood may look different for Padma and Krishna at this stage, but their shared energy, creativity, and support keep their bond vibrant and enduring.
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