Padma Lakshmi and Melissa King are friends, not ‘love’

Padma Lakshmi – nomshi Melissa King It sparked romance rumors last month after their Halloween costumes raised eyebrows – but what is the true state of their relationship?

“They’re just close friends,” the source says exclusively US of the Week.

Lakshmi, 55, and King, 42, have known each other for years, but they don’t pray,” he said on the side.

“There is nothing romantic going on,” the source adds, “There is nothing illegal in the rumors.” They are a couple.

Lakshmi was introduced to the king during season 12 of The top chefwhich is held by lakshmi, while the king pressed the desired cooking subject. The King didn’t win its first season, but took home the trophy during season 17 in 2020.

“Melissa King, You Really Go Alone This Season Top chef. It’s been a joy to watch you blossom into a master, master of skills,” Lakshmi wrote on Facebook in June 2020 after presenting the king with her award. Your Finale dishes were amazing. You make me proud! Brava !! “

Over the next five years, Lakshmi and the king develop a camaraderie. Lakshmi spoke about their bond in October – days before the couple caused a stir with their joint Halloween costumes.

“Melissa is a cook I’ve always loved,” said Lakshmi People On October 28.

King shed some light on their friendship days later when he posted a series of photos of their Halloween-inspired Addams costumes. King dressed as gomez addams, and Lakshmi channeled her inner adnoms.

Two of the other friends are both dressed as lawyers on Wednesday and the butler gerch for a spooky time.

“I died for him. I was going to reveal him.

In a separate post, the king even approached Lakshmi while dressed as a TV husband and wife. “Cara Mia!

Lakshmi addressed the relationship speculation later that week when she was spotted laughing with the king at a New York City launch party Padma’s all-American tales, travel, and cooking from national tastes and beyond: a cookbook.

In a video shared on November 4 by Deliciousyes’s Instagram account, Lakshmi put her hand on her face, while the king sat on her lap and touched her arm.

Later that month, Lakshmi and King poked fun at the rumors surrounding their relationship while cooking together in an Instagram video.

In the November 9 Clip, the king joked that Lakshmi’s nails are now. ” Lakshmi laughed before telling her friend, “Stop starting rumours.”

While Lakshmi has not publicly addressed romance rumours, she previously opened up about her sexuality in her 2016 memoir, Love, loss and what we eat.

He revealed in the book that during his modeling days in Milan and Paris “he blew my mind and thoughts,” including a brief romance with a woman.

“Some I regret, but not all, as you know what it’s like to touch and be touched by a woman,” wrote Lakshmi.

Lakshmi later spoke to Andy Cohen regarding his gender assessment during the March 2016 session.

“It was the first time I was away from home and I was surrounded by the most beautiful women in the world,” he recalls. “I’m not sorry. It was my first time as an adult. I was experimenting with my sexuality.”

He concluded, “I’ve never had an emotional and loving relationship with a woman. But I’m not sorry. It was a great experience. It happened.”