60 TIME June 20/June 27, 2022
IN OUR LIVES
Four leaders share their most pivotal Four leaders share their most pivotal
moments—moments—and the changes that followedand the changes that followed
JOSEF ASCHBACHER
Director general,
European Space AgencyEuropean Space AgencyWe all have our own memories We all have our own memories
throughout our lives that can be throughout our lives that can be
evoked by a distinct smell, a familiar evoked by a distinct smell, a familiar
voice, the mention of an old friend we voice, the mention of an old friend we
haven’t thought of in years. Where we haven’t thought of in years. Where we
can remember exactly what we were can remember exactly what we were
doing, wearing, thinking, or feeling. doing, wearing, thinking, or feeling.
Core memories.Core memories.
It might not surprise anyone to It might not surprise anyone to
know that the most defi ning core know that the most defi ning core
memory in my childhood was the fi rst memory in my childhood was the fi rstPADMA LAKSHMI
TV host, producer, authorIn 2005, I was working on my second In 2005, I was working on my second
cookbook, called cookbook, called Tangy, Tart, Hot, Tangy, Tart, Hot,
and Sweet.and Sweet. I had hosted a couple I had hosted a couple
of programs on the of programs on the
Food Network, but I was Food Network, but I was
mostly making a living mostly making a living
by acting and writing by acting and writing
columns for the New columns for the New
York York TimesTimes syndicate syndicate
and fashion magazines. and fashion magazines.
I had pitched a concept I had pitched a concept
to Bravo about a dinner-to Bravo about a dinner-
party talk show, but the party talk show, but the
network felt my idea was network felt my idea was
too niche and highbrow. too niche and highbrow.
They wanted something They wanted something
with mass appeal in with mass appeal in
food and asked if I’d like food and asked if I’d like
to partner with them on to partner with them on
that. It was that. It was Top Chef.Top Chef.
Because I was Because I was
contracted to act in a contracted to act in a
fi lm, I couldn’t join until the second fi lm, I couldn’t join until the second
season. I never imagined it would season. I never imagined it would
become a cultural behemoth, still become a cultural behemoth, still
going strong after 16 years and going strong after 16 years and
racking up 37 Emmy nominations. racking up 37 Emmy nominations.Top ChefTop Chef is not just a part of pop is not just a part of pop
culture. It has changed food culture culture. It has changed food culture
around the world. My greatest around the world. My greatest
pleasure has been seeing how pleasure has been seeing how
engaged so many young people are engaged so many young people are
with the culinary arts today. Tweens with the culinary arts today. Tweens
routinely come up to me to quiz me routinely come up to me to quiz me
with culinary terms I didn’t even with culinary terms I didn’t even
know the meaning of when I was know the meaning of when I was
their age. After 16 years, our show their age. After 16 years, our show
continues to amaze with its staying continues to amaze with its staying
power. It airs in 176 territories, and power. It airs in 176 territories, and
23 countries have produced their 23 countries have produced their
own local versions. own local versions. Top ChefTop Chef’s legacy ’s legacy
is something I will always be proud to is something I will always be proud to
be a part of.be a part of.
Name recognition from Name recognition from Top Top
ChefChef has afforded me a platform to has afforded me a platform to
amplify awareness of endometriosis amplify awareness of endometriosis
by co-founding the reproductive-by co-founding the reproductive-
health nonprofi t Endometriosis health nonprofi t Endometriosis
Foundation of America (EndoFound) Foundation of America (EndoFound)
in 2009, and since then we have in 2009, and since then we have
educated over 35,000 youth educated over 35,000 youth
and funded a research center and funded a research center
at Massachusetts Institute of at Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, as well as doubled Technology, as well as doubled
federal funding for endometriosis federal funding for endometriosis
research in 2021. This led to my research in 2021. This led to my
work speaking out on global equality work speaking out on global equality
as a U.N. goodwill ambassador, and as a U.N. goodwill ambassador, and
on women’s and immigration rights on women’s and immigration rights
for the ACLU in the U.S. for the ACLU in the U.S.
After working on immigration After working on immigration
issues for several years, I longed issues for several years, I longed
to merge my television work with to merge my television work with
my advocacy, and my advocacy, and Taste the Nation Taste the Nation
With Padma LakshmiWith Padma Lakshmi on Hulu was on Hulu was
born. This documentary series born. This documentary series
is the most artistically rewarding is the most artistically rewardingexperience of my creative life. I try experience of my creative life. I try
to tell stories from communities in to tell stories from communities in
the U.S. you don’t often hear from. the U.S. you don’t often hear from.
And I’m still writing: a memoir, a food And I’m still writing: a memoir, a food
encyclopedia, and a children’s book encyclopedia, and a children’s book
with Asian characters about food. All with Asian characters about food. All
were no doubt helped in sales by the were no doubt helped in sales by the
visibility [of my TV work]. visibility [of my TV work].
In the early years, I was worried In the early years, I was worried
that doing a food show would prevent that doing a food show would prevent
me from getting legitimate acting me from getting legitimate acting
work, or that folks would pigeonhole work, or that folks would pigeonhole
me, but I realize now that my life me, but I realize now that my life
was meant to be immersed in food. was meant to be immersed in food.
I’m so glad I said yes to I’m so glad I said yes to Top Chef.Top Chef.
When I was deciding whether to do When I was deciding whether to do
the show, a very smart person told the show, a very smart person told
me, “Push against the open door.” me, “Push against the open door.”
I had intended a life in the theater, I had intended a life in the theater,
but through but through Top ChefTop Chef I get to play I get to play
on the world’s stage. And since on the world’s stage. And since
Taste the NationTaste the Nation fi rst premiered, fi rst premiered,
I’m able to use this amazing I’m able to use this amazing
platform I’ve been given to reach platform I’ve been given to reach
out to communities that have been out to communities that have been
waiting in the wings for their moment waiting in the wings for their moment
in the spotlight, and grant them the in the spotlight, and grant them the
attention they so rightly deserve. attention they so rightly deserve.
Now, when I am offered acting roles, Now, when I am offered acting roles,
the problem is that I have no time to the problem is that I have no time to
do them.do them.WORLD ECONOMIC FORUMI HAD INTENDED A LIFE IN THE THEATER, BUT THROUGH
TOP CHEF
I
THEATER, BUT THROUGH
TOP CHEF
I
GET TO PLAY ON THE WORLD’S STAGEGET TO PLAY ON THE WORLD’S STAGE
N A K AT E : A P ;G E T T Y I M A G E S ( 3 )