Padma Lakshmi doesn't do boring. Whether she’s taste-testing street food or walking a red carpet, there’s this specific energy she brings. But honestly, the most interesting thing about her right now isn't a new cookbook or a TV show. It's her relationship with her daughter, Krishna Thea Lakshmi-Dell.
Krishna is 15 now. Let that sink in.
People who remember the "Littlehands" era—where Padma would literally hide her face with star emojis on Instagram—are suddenly seeing a mini-me who is taller, sassier, and apparently thinks her mom is a bit of a nightmare in the kitchen. It’s the classic teenage pivot. One minute you're a toddler eating dal with your fingers, and the next you’re telling a world-famous chef that she’s "overbearing" while you try to fry chicken.
The "Littlehands" evolution and the 2026 reality
For a long time, Krishna was just a nickname. Padma called her "Littlehands" for years, a sweet term of endearment that stuck so well the public almost forgot her real name. But here’s the thing: Krishna is over it. In a recent PSA, she basically asked people to stop. She’s not that toddler anymore. She’s a high schooler with a nose piercing, a wicked sense of humor, and a growing desire to be known for her own stuff.
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She’s even told her mom she wants to be an actor or a singer. Padma, ever the realist, is supportive but cautious. She’s fine with Krishna modeling—it paid her own college loans, after all—but she’d rather her daughter be on a magazine cover for her achievements rather than just having a famous mom and a pretty face.
Cooking, conflict, and "overbearing" moms
We all think of Padma Lakshmi as the ultimate kitchen authority. But to Krishna? She’s just a mom who hovers.
During the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen recently, Padma got real. She admitted that Krishna actually prefers cooking with her father, Adam Dell. Why? Because Padma is "too much" in the kitchen. It’s hilarious if you think about it. Imagine telling the woman who hosted Top Chef for nearly 20 years that her technique is annoying.
- Krishna wants to fry chicken on her own.
- Padma wants to walk her through the safety steps.
- Krishna rolls her eyes.
It’s the most human dynamic ever. Padma’s goal is simple: she wants Krishna to go to college knowing how to make twelve basic things. A roast chicken, an omelette, some curry rice, two ways to do potatoes. Basic survival skills. Honestly, it's a solid parenting move.
Why the Adam Dell dynamic actually works now
The history here was messy. Let’s not sugarcoat it. Back in 2010, the "who’s the father?" speculation was everywhere. It was a tabloid circus that Padma later described as "mortifying." She was dating two men at the time—Adam Dell and the late billionaire Teddy Forstmann—and for a while, the paternity wasn't public.
There were lawsuits. There were custody battles. It was the kind of stuff that usually ends in permanent bitterness.
But somehow, they fixed it. By 2026, Padma and Adam are the poster children for "getting over yourself for the sake of the kid." They co-parent effectively. They trade off holidays. When Krishna had her Bat Mitzvah (she’s being raised with both her mother's Indian heritage and her father's Jewish roots), everyone was there. They even briefly tried dating again a few years back, which didn't stick, but the friendship did.
The "Pajama Day" tradition and the center of the world
Despite the red carpets and the Emmy appearances—like when they showed up in coordinating black gowns and Krishna looked like a total "dead ringer" for her mom—their real life is much quieter.
They have this thing called "Pajama Day." It’s exactly what it sounds like. They wake up, brush their teeth, shower, and then put on fresh pajamas to spend the entire day together. Krishna does her homework or hangs out on her computer, Padma reads, and they eventually have a "bed picnic" with tea and sandwiches.
It’s a stark contrast to the high-glamour images we see. It’s also where the real parenting happens. Padma has admitted that the teenage years have "turbulence." Krishna is evolving day-to-day. She’ll go to her dad’s house and come back a slightly different version of herself.
What most people get wrong
The biggest misconception is that Krishna is just a "mini-Padma." While they look alike—especially when Krishna wears those baggy, low-rise jeans that Padma tries (and fails) to police—their personalities are diverging.
Krishna isn't obsessed with the culinary world. She "couldn't care less" about her mom's viral cooking videos. When Padma asks her how she reacts to the fame, Krishna’s go-to answer is usually a blunt, "Oh my God, I don't care."
That groundedness is probably Padma’s biggest achievement. In a world of "nepo babies" trying desperately to be influencers, Krishna seems more interested in roasting her mom on TikTok or figuring out how to fry chicken without a lecture.
How to parent like Padma (The actionable takeaway)
If you're looking at this duo and wondering how to keep that kind of bond as your kids hit the "I hate everything" phase, here’s the blueprint Padma seems to follow:
- Enforce the "Village" early: Padma always said that even though she was a single mom, she wasn't alone. She leaned on aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Don't be afraid to let other people be "parents" to your kids.
- Respect the identity shift: When your kid tells you they aren't "Littlehands" anymore, listen. Use their real name. Respect their boundaries, even if it hurts a little.
- Find your "Pajama Day": You need a low-stakes tradition that doesn't involve "doing" anything. Just being in the same room, parallel-studying or reading, builds a weirdly strong connection.
- Teach the "Twelve": Forget making them a gourmet chef. Give them twelve recipes that ensure they won't starve in a dorm room.
Padma Lakshmi and daughter Krishna aren't perfect, and they'll tell you that. They argue about clothes, they fight about kitchen safety, and they definitely disagree on what makes a "good" TikTok. But they're honest. And in the world of celebrity parenting, honesty is a lot more interesting than a polished Instagram feed.
Keep an eye on Krishna’s own projects in the coming years. Whether it’s music or acting, she’s clearly ready to drop the "daughter of" tag and just be herself. Just don't call her Littlehands. Seriously.