Good Luck Dating Padma, Richard Gere

It's a truth universally acknowledged that Padma Lakshmi is FINE. And apparently, if rumors are true (which they often aren't but we're crossing our fingers for this one), the newest dude that gets to enjoy her epic fine-ness is the silveriest of foxes, Richard Gere. According to Us Weekly, Padma Lakshmi and Richard Gere are dating. Even though he's in the middle of his divorce from Carey Lowell, Gere can't resist that lovely, mean Top Chef judge. And who could?

But damn, Richard Gere, you've got some tough acts to follow. Lakshmi only pairs up with the best of the best, the creme de la creme, to use Top Chef vocab. If you've forgotten, she was married for a long, long time to Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie. The 66-year-old author was literally BANNED by the Ayatollah in 1989 for his novel The Satanic Verses. Sure, Richard Gere is an officer and a gentleman, but how can he hold a candle to a genius novelist who threatened the Supreme Leader of Iran?

Lakshmi also had her beautiful little daughter Krishna with venture capitalist Adam Dell, the brother of the starter of Dell Computers. Gere, dude, you're getting a Dell. Or at least you're getting yourself into dating a woman who has a taste for moneymakers and movers and shakers, because apart from Dell, Lakshmi was also with literal billionaire Teddy Forstmann until 2011 when he passed away. Forstmann's ex-beaus include PRINCESS DIANA, so Lakshmi was in good company.

It's okay, though, Gere — you've got a lot going for you. You've made Julia Roberts giggle wildly more times than we can count. You've got those dimples. You were GREAT in Chicago. Maybe, though, it's time you started penning the next great American novel or investing in stocks that could make you millions overnight. We know what Lakshmi sees in you, but for HOW LONG? What if she tells you to pack your heart and go?

Big props to Lakshmi for pickin' em right, and for always being half of a power couple. Cheers to the new, happy couple.