Artist, designer and former actor Lekha Washington has spoken candidly about the criticism she faced after her relationship with actor Imran Khan became public, saying she refuses to let labels such as “homewrecker” define her identity. In a recent interview, Washington addressed years of online judgment and explained why she no longer feels the need to defend herself against accusations made by people who know little about the realities of her personal life.
Washington, who has largely remained private about her relationship with Imran Khan, said she has spent much of her life dealing with attempts to categorise and diminish women through derogatory labels. Reflecting on the criticism she received, she remarked that such terms are often used to shame women and reduce them to simplistic narratives.
According to Washington, being called names is not a new experience. She said that from her teenage years onward, she had encountered different forms of judgment, particularly as a woman choosing to live life on her own terms. However, she stressed that she no longer allows such comments to influence how she sees herself.
The artist stated that people who use labels such as “homewrecker” rarely understand the complexities of personal relationships. She argued that outsiders often form opinions based on headlines, assumptions and social media narratives without knowing the actual circumstances involved. For that reason, she believes strangers are not in a position to pass judgment on someone else’s relationship.
Washington’s comments come more than two years after Imran Khan publicly addressed similar accusations. In 2024, the actor confirmed his relationship with Washington and strongly rejected suggestions that she had played any role in the breakdown of his marriage to Avantika Malik. At the time, Imran said the narrative surrounding Washington was both inaccurate and misogynistic. He clarified that he and Avantika had been separated long before he and Washington became romantically involved.
Imran explained that he and Washington grew close during the Covid-19 lockdown period, more than a year after his separation from Avantika. He also noted that Washington had already separated from her own partner before their relationship developed.
For Washington, however, the issue extends beyond her personal circumstances. During the interview, she questioned why women are so often defined through their connection to men rather than through their own achievements and identities. She argued that reducing a woman to “someone’s girlfriend” or attaching her worth to a romantic relationship ignores everything else she has accomplished.
Over the last decade, Washington has largely stepped away from acting and built a career as an artist, sculptor and designer. Known for her work in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi cinema during the late 2000s and early 2010s, she gradually shifted her focus toward large-scale art installations and design projects. Today, she is recognised as much for her artistic work as for her earlier screen appearances.
The interview marks one of the rare occasions on which Washington has spoken publicly about her relationship with Imran. The couple have generally maintained a low profile despite growing public interest in their personal lives. Recent months, however, have seen both of them become more open about the support they provide each other.
Imran himself has spoken about how Washington helped him through one of the most difficult periods of his life. After stepping away from films, the actor revealed that he struggled with depression and personal challenges. He credited Washington and his daughter Imara with helping him heal and rebuild his confidence.
This is not the first time Washington has addressed public judgment. Earlier this year, she responded to online criticism surrounding her interfaith relationship with Imran Khan and rejected attempts to use their relationship as a symbol for political or ideological debates. She said both families had been supportive and stressed the importance of respecting individual choices.