News ‘Top Chef’ star Fatima Ali dies at 29; Padma Lakshmi shares emotional tribute January 26, 2019 Andrea Mandell, USA TODAY Comments Off on ‘Top Chef’ star Fatima Ali dies at 29; Padma Lakshmi shares emotional tribute 'Top Chef' star Fatima Ali was diagnosed last year with a rare form of bone cancer called Ewings Sarcoma.