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'Top Chef' Host Padma Lakshmi Defends Decision To Film Next Season In Texas Despite Abortion Ban
Texas Governor Greg Abbott just signed into law an abortion ban known as the "fetal heartbeat bill" effectively making it impossible for anyone seeking access to an abortion. Since then, there's been outrage across the country over the controversial law even President Biden has called unconstitutional.
People like David Simon from The Wire, Netflix, Bob Iger from Disney, and many others in the Hollywood entertainment industry are thinking of packing up and moving out of The Lone Star state.
However, Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi is defending the decision to film in Texas in a Twitter thread.
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
Lakshmi specifically said she is supporting Texas fighting the abortion ban with Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the National Network of Abortion Funds, and the legal advocacy group the ACLU.
Though, her tweets beg the question of what are the different ways activists, corporate entities, hollywood stars and citizens can fight for their rights.
Fans from Texas were happy to see her sticking with the state.
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
Not everyone felt as thankful for her choice to film in Texas still.
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
Alexis McGill Johnson, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, told Variety:
"Hollywood has the bully pulpit of culture and it has the economic pulpit impact of pulling out of the state and calling on companies that do business in the state to go elsewhere."
"Boycotting has a long and important history in achieving and sustaining rights for people."
"The one other important lever that Hollywood has is storytelling and its ability to dramatize the impact on people who can't access abortions."
"I'm 49 years old. I'm younger than Roe. I've never not known a time when I wasn't free to make decisions about my own body."
"It's important to tell rising generations the stories of what things were like pre-Roe and what things are like when laws like this go into place."
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
pic.twitter.com/DvanXbj4qr— Drew Hilton (@Drew Hilton) 1632399120
Georgia has become a prominent state for the film industry. Back when this letter was sent, people were rallying to stop the Georgia State Governor Brian Kemp from passing H.B. 481, which is near identical to the Texas bill.
This letter read:
"As actors, our work often brings us to Georgia. We've always found your state to be populated with friend and caring people.
"We've found the hotels in which we stay and restaurants in which we dine wile filming there to be comfortable and of high quality."
"We've been glad to bring billions of dollars in revenue to support Georgia's schools, parks and communities."
"But we cannot in good conscience continue to recommend our industry remain in Georgia if H.B. 481 becomes law."
The contradictory statements from Lakshmi make it seem she might be insincere in her convictions when her own career is involved.
Season 19 of Top Chef, which is already filming in Texas, will air in 2022.