It’s been nearly a decade since Priyanka Chopra Jonas made her mark in Hollywood, and the actor, one of India’s most recognizable global stars, has opened up about the uncertainty and constant reinvention that have defined her cross-continental journey.
No Roadmap for Success
Priyanka emphasized that there was no set roadmap for her career; instead, it has been a journey of trial and error, underpinned by a willingness to learn.
When asked how she managed to maintain her sense of identity while continually reinventing herself for global audiences, Priyanka candidly admitted, “I don’t know if I did.”
“I think, you know, I don’t know everything. I don’t claim to know everything. I am learning by myself. There are very few examples of people who have come before me in navigating international waters from India, whose footprints I followed,” she added.
Trial and Error
With few Indian pioneers to guide her, Priyanka’s growth has largely come from “trial and error.” She reflected, “It was just trial and error, and I made mistakes. Some were good, some were bad, and that’s what happens when you’re starting all over again, and I think that’s okay.”
She continued, “You have to learn how to forgive yourself for the mistakes, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. That’s not easy, and there are times I can do it, and then there are times I can’t, and that’s also okay.”
Grounded by Loved Ones
Priyanka credits her strong grounding to the close-knit circle she maintains. It’s not about quantity but surrounding herself with those who genuinely care and support her.
“What I think keeps me grounded is surrounding myself with loved ones. That doesn’t have to be many, but people who are truly your champions and who truly care about you. That really helps in giving you a sense of grounding and confidence to be able to evolve and to try new things,” she said.
Supporting Meaningful Stories
Currently, Priyanka is backing the documentary “Born Hungry” through her production company, Purple Pebble Pictures, in collaboration with Barry Avrich’s Melbar Entertainment Group. The film tells the inspiring story of Sash Simpson, who went from being abandoned as a young boy in India to being adopted in Canada and becoming a celebrated chef. It is set to stream on JioHotstar.