'Top Chef' Host Padma Lakshmi Defends Decision To Film Next Season In Texas Despite Abortion Ban

Texans are up against so much right now- a hateful anti-abortion bill, erasure of voting rights, and a humanitarian & Constitutional crisis at the border.\n \nHouston is one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. Its govt & the majority of its ppl oppose @GovAbbott's heinous bills.

— Padma Lakshmi (@Padma Lakshmi) 1632355570

Our show highlights the small businesses that hire the very same women, BIPOC ppl & low-income folks that these laws harm most.\n\nOnly 11% of Americans believe that abortion should be illegal.\n\nThe govt doesn\u2019t have the right to force ppl to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term.

— Padma Lakshmi (@Padma Lakshmi) 1632355570

I\u2019m continuing this fight here on the ground with local branches of @PPACT, @AbortionFunds & @ACLU.\n \nHelp Texans directly by donating to 9 Texas abortion funds here:\nhttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/txfunds\u00a0pic.twitter.com/RIt5JgnPJd

— Padma Lakshmi (@Padma Lakshmi) 1632355828

@MonmouthPoll: only 11% of Americans say abortion should always be illegal\n\n24% say it should be illegal except for rape, incest, or to save the mother\u2019s lifehttps://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_us_092021/\u00a0\u2026

— Padma Lakshmi (@Padma Lakshmi) 1632356204

As a native Texan and Houstonian, thank you for recognizing the distinction between our Governor and the majority of the people. And welcome to Houston for Top Chef 19!

— eweytx (@eweytx) 1632356604

Thank you Padma! We appreciate your supporting Houston despite the horrible abortion law and recognizing that his views are not Houston\u2019s. Our city is so excited to have you and all of @BravoTopChef. Welcome!

— Emily Harvin (@Emily Harvin) 1632356709

Thanks Padma! Please use the show to spotlight some of the injustices of Texas coupled with who it effects. You have a platform so use it.

— KimberKat (@KimberKat) 1632361013

As a Houstonian, I just have to say thank you! <3

— Megan Lambert (@Megan Lambert) 1632485814

I love you Padma, and Tom and the show. But this is a victory for abbott. He knows can get away with it without consequence. No businesses leaving, shows with people like you and Tom still film there. No consequences. No matter how Houston feels, this is how abbott will see it.

— mike (@mike) 1632356584

Extremely disappointed to read that the new season of Top Chef is going to Houston. So surprised that you, Padma, feel like that\u2019s ok.

— Elizabeth Yarboro (@Elizabeth Yarboro) 1632367939

Houston doesn\u2019t exist in a bubble. Hosting the show there inevitably brings revenue to Texas as a whole. That should have been a non-starter.

— RG (@RG) 1632364876

you know what would help even more?\n\nif @BravoTopChef pulled out of shooting in houston\n\nbut ya know, tell us more about how you're fighting on the ground and polls\n\ncan't help but wonder which one would be more impactful in regards to future elections

— Outlaw Mama (@Outlaw Mama) 1632357042

Big fan but\u2026 This reads like a CYA statement and utterly contradicts your letter to Brian Kemp about Georgia in 2019. Back then, 100 prominent women co-signed a letter about boycotting the state, in spite of its \u201cwonderful people.\u201d You should be doing the same to Texas.

— Drew Hilton (@Drew Hilton) 1632399005

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— Drew Hilton (@Drew Hilton) 1632399120