Meet Padma Lakshmi's New Boyfriend, Terrance Hayes
It looks like Padma Lakshmi, host and judge of the hit Bravo cooking competition series, "Top Chef," has found love again! The best-selling cookbook author — who has a stunning net worth — split from her boyfriend, venture capitalist Adam Dell, in the beginning of 2021 after more than a decade of being in an on-again, off-again relationship. While the pair have kept their relationship relatively private over the years, it was revealed that Dell is the father of Lakshmi's daughter, Krishna, now 11, just one month after she was born (via People).
At the time, a source told the outlet that Lakshmi wanted "nothing more to do" with Dell, saying, "Her relationship with Dell was nothing more than an on-again, off-again fling. She moved on months ago. The only role he will have in her life going forward is as the biological father of her child. She wants nothing more to do with him." Although the pair were embroiled in a custody battle in 2012 (via Us Weekly), Dell and Lakshmi seemed to give their relationship another shot in 2017; however, it looks like the former lovebirds have thrown in the towel on their relationship for good this time, considering Lakshmi was spotted packing on some serious PDA with a new man in June 2021 (via Page Six).
Padma Lakshmi's new man is an author and poet
Padma Lakshmi was spotted locking lips with a hunky new man, who's since been identified as poet and author Terrance Hayes, while out and about in New York City on June 14, 2021. "It's early days," a source close to the couple dished to Page Six. "They're just getting to know each other."
While it's a well-known fact that Lakshmi has a seriously impressive resume, spanning from television host and judge to best-selling cookbook author, Hayes has an equally impressive list of accomplishments under his belt. According to his personal website, Hayes was born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1971 and studied English and painting at Coker College, where he also played on the men's basketball team. He is also a 2014 MacArthur Fellow, served as the poetry editor for The New York Times Magazine from 2017 to 2018, and currently teaches English at New York University.
Hayes also has multiple poetry collections, many of which have been finalists for awards, including "How to Be Drawn," "American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin," "Wind in a Box," "Lighthead," and more (via Poetry Foundation).