Padma Lakshmi defends filming 'Top Chef' in Houston after Texas' passing of anti-abortion law

"Top Chef" host, co-judge and producer Padma Lakshmi addressed the backlash on Twitter after fans called out the series for filming in Texas, which just passed its new controversial anti-abortion law.

"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. Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. Its govt & the majority of its ppl oppose @GovAbbott‘s heinous bills," Lakshmi expressed. "Our show highlights the small businesses that hire the very same women, BIPOC ppl & low-income folks that these laws harm most."

She continued, "Our show highlights the small businesses that hire the very same women, BIPOC ppl & low-income folks that these laws harm most. Only 11% of Americans believe that abortion should be illegal. The govt doesn’t have the right to force ppl to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term."