Photo via Well Fed Network

I honestly think that Padma Lakshmi just might be the most beautiful woman in the world. I realized it over the weekend, while watching some old episodes of Top Chef on my iPod (leftover from before Bravo pulled the plug on their iTunes contract). I mean, there's no doubt that she's stunning, but really, the television is chock full of breathtaking women. However, as I witnessed on Top Chef, Padma actually has a pretty solid head on her shoulders and--like judge Chef Tom Collichio--she is unafraid to call people out on their bullshit, yet she manages to chastise in a way that makes you feel like she's doing you a favor, as though she's trying to save you from yourself. And she knows her stuff. From the comments she's made (and granted, this might be reality television editing magic), it seems like she has a very sophisticated palate and a true sense of adventure. And the fact that she gains anywhere from 12-15 pounds during the 20 days spent filming a season of Top Chef and requires a double wardrobe in two different sizes? Who can't relate to that?

I blame myself for not doing the math and recognizing how awesome she is right away. I mean, her ex-husband Salman Rushdie undoubtedly is a horny little troll man but I can't see him actually getting hitched to a bubble head. And to Padma's credit, she could probably have any wealthy or famous man in the world, but she fell head over heels for a goofy-looking writer guy who looks like he has problems with ear hair. I should have realized that there was more to her than her amazing bone structure and exquisite features. I think I have an anti-beauty bias, quite honestly. I'm more likely to find the quirky or unusual face or body to be gorgeous, while the perfect specimen has to prove to me that they're more than just a pretty face. In fact, apparently, last summer, I passed right by Padma in the lobby of the Wynn without even realizing it. In my defense, I wasn't watching Top Chef until last fall, and am horrible at recognizing famous people in the field. (And I'm really bad at recognizing famous people in 3D. When I bumped into Flava Flav two years ago in late October, I just thought it was someone dressed as Flava Flav for Halloween.)

But what cements Padma into true girl crush status is that she's one of those rare women who honestly seem unaware or a little chagrined that they are so beautiful. I get the sense that she's not the least bit superficial or shallow. Case in point: Padma has a 7-inch, very ugly scar from a childhood accident running down her right arm, and yet, unabashedly wears short sleeved shirts and strapless gowns. She refuses, despite almost quashing her early modeling career, to get plastic surgery on the scar, realizing that it makes her seem more human and approachable. Her flaw, in a way, elevates her from just another pretty face and in the end, makes her more beautiful. Either she's amazingly clever or just inherently self-assured. Either way, I want to be her bff or just want to look at her adoringly. Either one.