Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi: In India and Italy, where I lived for a long time, we like healthier, more voluptuous types.

Padma Lakshmi: (on the scar she received after a car accident when she was 14 years old) I love my scar. It is so much a part of me. I'm not sure I would remove it even if a doctor could wave a magic wand and delete it from my arm. The scar has singled me out and made me who I am.

Padma Lakshmi: An oil massage, a hot bath, a good night's sleep, soft smells, music, and clothes with soft textures denote sensuality to me.

Padma Lakshmi: I was the first Indian model to have a career in Paris, Milan, and New York. I am the first one to admit I was a novelty.

Padma Lakshmi: I was brought to believe that the female form is a beautiful thing. I think it's not so much what you do but how you do it that matters. I don't think I've done anything that was exploitative.

Padma Lakshmi: All the pictures that have been taken of me are artistic. Even if they were provocative or revealing, I don't think they were vulgar.

Padma Lakshmi: (on the set of "Sharpe's Challenge") Both my leading men are sick... maybe just out of fear of doing scenes with me. (laughs)

Padma Lakshmi: As a model, I'm there to sell a product, and I hope that I can do something beyond just looking good, you know. That's easy when you have three people working on your hair, and your makeup, and your costumes constantly, it's hard not to look good. And you have, you know, very talented people lighting you exactly the right way, and making sure everything's right. But none of that means anything if you don't believe what we're doing and, ultimately, it's a human story.