Podcasts > On Purpose with Jay Shetty > PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS: Fame, Motherhood, Love and the Moment That Changed Everything

PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS: Fame, Motherhood, Love and the Moment That Changed Everything

By iHeartPodcasts

In this episode of On Purpose, Priyanka Chopra Jonas discusses her career transition from Bollywood to Hollywood, including the challenges of starting fresh in an unfamiliar industry and her path to landing a role in "Quantico." She shares details about her marriage to Nick Jonas, her spiritual beliefs, and how becoming a mother to her premature daughter has changed her perspective on life.

The conversation covers Chopra Jonas's evolution from a work-driven mindset to one that prioritizes peace and family time. She talks about managing mental health amid public scrutiny, her creative pursuits across different platforms, and her current projects—including her return to Bollywood and her work as a producer—while balancing professional commitments with family life.

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PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS: Fame, Motherhood, Love and the Moment That Changed Everything

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PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS: Fame, Motherhood, Love and the Moment That Changed Everything

1-Page Summary

Priyanka's Career Transitions From Bollywood to Hollywood

In a conversation with Jay Shetty, Priyanka Chopra Jonas discusses her journey from Bollywood stardom to establishing herself in Hollywood. Despite reaching the peak of her career in Bollywood, with numerous awards and collaborations with prominent directors, Priyanka felt pushed out of the industry. This led her to explore new opportunities in Hollywood, where she faced the challenges of starting fresh in an unfamiliar industry, including intensive work with acting coaches and numerous auditions before landing her breakthrough role in "Quantico."

Priyanka's Personal Life, Family, and Spiritual Beliefs

Priyanka shares insights about her marriage to Nick Jonas, whom she credits with helping her become more vulnerable and open. She describes Nick as having quiet confidence and wisdom that has earned her complete trust. The actress also discusses her strong spiritual beliefs, identifying herself as a devotee of Lord Shiva. Her journey to motherhood was particularly challenging, with her daughter born prematurely at 27 weeks, an experience that has significantly shifted her priorities and perspective on life.

Priyanka's Personal Growth and Evolution

Priyanka reflects on her transformation from someone driven by an always-on work ethic to someone who now values peace and family time. She has developed strategies to maintain her mental health amid public scrutiny, emphasizing the importance of focusing on positives and ignoring negative criticism. Her approach to creativity has evolved, with Priyanka advocating for pursuing passions across different platforms and remaining open to new opportunities.

Priyanka's Current Projects and Endeavors

Currently, Priyanka is working on several significant projects, including "The Bluff," an action thriller where she plays a former pirate, and "Varanasi," marking her return to Bollywood under the direction of SS Rajamouli. She has also ventured into production, aiming to create meaningful content and open opportunities for others in the industry. Throughout these projects, she continues to balance her professional commitments with family life, often traveling with her daughter between sets.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore a new career path by taking introductory online courses in a field you're curious about, which can help you understand the basics and determine if a deeper dive is worthwhile. For example, if you've always been interested in coding, start with free resources like Codecademy or Khan Academy to get a feel for programming before committing to more advanced classes or a career change.
  • Enhance your adaptability by setting a monthly challenge to try something outside your comfort zone, such as a new hobby, social activity, or volunteering opportunity. This could be as simple as joining a local sports team, attending a community art class, or helping out at a food bank, which can help you become more open to change and new experiences.
  • Create a personal "positivity portfolio" by writing down positive feedback, accomplishments, and moments of joy each week, storing them in a dedicated notebook or digital folder. Whenever you face criticism or negativity, revisit your portfolio to remind yourself of your strengths and achievements, reinforcing a positive self-image and resilience.

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PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS: Fame, Motherhood, Love and the Moment That Changed Everything

Priyanka's Career Transitions From Bollywood to Hollywood

Jay Shetty and Priyanka Chopra Jonas discuss her transition from Bollywood stardom to making a mark in Hollywood, despite the struggles she faced in both personal and professional arenas.

Priyanka's Early Success and Dominance in Bollywood

Priyanka's Accomplishments and Accolades in Indian Film

In Bollywood, Priyanka Chopra Jonas was at the zenith of her career, having won major awards and accolades, and worked with every prominent director and actor in the industry. Yet, according to a director in Bollywood, despite her success, she was treated badly and felt pushed out.

Priyanka's Decision to Transition to Hollywood

Limited In Bollywood, Seeking New Opportunities

Feeling cornered and seeing limited prospects in Bollywood, Priyanka decided to explore new opportunities, even if it meant crossing continents. She wanted more longevity in her career than what she was currently experiencing. Anjula, who managed Desi Hits, a joint venture with Interscope Records, approached her with the idea that she could become a pop star in America. Priyanka took it as an olive branch and decided to leap into the new endeavor, feeling very constrained in her work in Hindi movies.

Challenges Of Navigating a New Industry

Chopra Jonas weighed her choices, which included accepting secondary parts, pursuing a music career (which she felt she was mediocre at), or starting afresh in a completely unfamiliar industry. Choosing the latter, Priyanka recalls living out of suitcases for many years, struggling with the loneliness of hotel rooms, and facing the emotional trauma of being alone in a new country, the loss of her father, and loss of friendships. She also emphasizes the professional challenges of starting from scratch, needing to learn how to deliver dialogues in English, and working intensively with acting coaches.

Priyanka's Journey in Hollywood

Landing Major Roles Like "Quantico" and Becoming a Star

Priyanka land ...

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Priyanka's Career Transitions From Bollywood to Hollywood

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore new career paths by identifying your transferable skills and researching industries where they are valued. For instance, if you have experience in customer service, your communication and problem-solving skills could be an asset in a sales or public relations role. Start by listing your skills and matching them with job descriptions in different fields to see where you might fit.
  • Enhance your adaptability by taking on a project outside your comfort zone, such as volunteering for a task at work that requires skills you're not familiar with. This could be anything from organizing a company event to leading a small team project. The key is to choose something that challenges you and provides a learning opportunity, which will help you build resilience and open doors to new experiences.
  • Build a support network in a new ...

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PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS: Fame, Motherhood, Love and the Moment That Changed Everything

Priyanka's Personal Life, Family, and Spiritual Beliefs

Priyanka Chopra Jonas's personal reflections reveal the profound impact her husband, Nick Jonas, spirituality, and the journey to motherhood have had on her life.

Priyanka's Relationship With Her Husband, Nick Jonas

Whirlwind Romance and Special Connection

Priyanka Chopra Jonas values hospitality and togetherness, as she indicates the importance of hosting friends and family. Their first Thanksgiving in Delhi was special, involving family and a toast from her mother, wishing that their table would always grow and include loved ones.

How Nick's Presence Has Positively Impacted Priyanka's Life

Priyanka appreciates Nick's quiet confidence and decisiveness, which she finds very attractive. His wisdom and honesty have earned her complete trust. Nick's ability to be sincere and honest, especially on camera, has inspired Priyanka to be more open and vulnerable. She credits her marriage to Nick with being able to handle tough situations more easily. Learning to express feelings rather than immediately seeking solutions within their relationship has been both eye-opening and healthy for Priyanka.

Nick refers to Priyanka as "my Jan," appreciating her not just for her global accolades but also for her role as a mother, daughter, sister, and wife. He cherishes the peace that comes from knowing they are a team and is proud of building a life together with Priyanka. His support even extends to aiding Priyanka in a comedy roast setup, highlighting their partnership dynamics where they actively contribute to each other's successes.

Priyanak's Spiritual and Religious Beliefs

Priyanka discusses the importance of faith in her life, especially during tough times. She refers to herself as a "big Shiv bhakta" (devotee of Lord Shiva) and believes Lord Shiva has guided her through every difficult moment. She considers faith a relationship with something larger than oneself, with religion being a pathway to it. Her faith, influenced by her multicultural background, has been pivotal since childhood. Priyanka used spiritual practices, including playing mantras, for her daughter in the NICU, highlighting her devotion to spiritual rituals.

Priyanka's Journey to Motherhood

Challenges and Joys Of Welcoming Premature Daughter

Priyanka's path to motherhood was rough, with her daughter being born prematurely at 27 weeks. She recounts the stress and uncertainty dur ...

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Priyanka's Personal Life, Family, and Spiritual Beliefs

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Create a "gratitude toast" tradition at family gatherings to foster togetherness and appreciation among loved ones. At your next family meal, encourage each person to share a short message of gratitude or a positive wish for someone else at the table, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
  • Start a "partnership diary" with your significant other to enhance communication and support. Regularly write down instances where you've felt supported by your partner or moments of teamwork, and share these entries with each other during a weekly reflection time to strengthen your bond and mutual appreciation.
  • Introduce a "faith corner" in your home to n ...

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PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS: Fame, Motherhood, Love and the Moment That Changed Everything

Priyanka's Personal Growth and Evolution as an Individual

Priyanka Chopra Jonas has experienced a profound personal evolution, as she discusses her transition from a fast-paced lifestyle to one prioritizing peace and family time. Her reflections uncover a journey of self-discovery, mental wellness strategies, and an embracing of life’s unpredictability.

Priyanka's Mindset and Priorities Shift Over Years

Once characterized by an always-on work ethic and drive for control, Priyanka’s priorities have shifted dramatically. The once unthinkable act of taking time off is now a source of joy for her, as she finds satisfaction in nesting and organizing her home. This new pace of life allows her to not push so hard and accept that the sky won't fall if she takes a day off.

Letting Go Of Control and Embracing Flexibility

Priyanka acknowledges the change in every aspect of her life, including her reactions to challenges and her approach to interactions, parenting, and household responsibilities. These changes have cultivated a more self-sufficient and confident individual, who acknowledges the ease of letting the universe guide the journey while still striving towards daily goals.

Valuing Vulnerability and Allowing Emotions

Her transformation has been underscored by an embrace of vulnerability and patience. Priyanka Chopra Jonas notes how parenting a toddler has taught her patience that is out of her control. She has come to a place where she is confident enough to discuss real issues rather than deflect. This newfound appreciation for vulnerability was further influenced by her husband, Nick, who demonstrated the significance of discussing emotions. The reflection on past attitudes reveals an earlier version of herself who viewed expressions of appreciation as unnecessary, an outlook she has since recognized as emotionally taxing and has now reversed to acknowledge the value people add to endeavors.

Priyanka's Approach to Public Scrutiny and Criticism

Navigating the complexities of public life, Priyanka has developed strategies to maintain her mental health amid scrutiny and criticism. She utilizes tools to avoid stress, including questioning the constructiveness of her thoughts and remembering that thoughts are not facts. She emphasizes self-talk as a means to control reactions and protect one’s mental space from the cacophony of external opinions. Acknowledging that public scrutiny is part of being a public figure, her philosophy revolves around focusing on the positives and ignoring the negatives.

Strategies to Protect Mental Health and Wellbeing

Priyanka admits that public criticism can sometimes affect her, but stresses the importance of focusing on the good in her life. She has leaned on the understanding that thoughts are often storytellers rather than truth-seekers, a realization that helps her separate negative speculation from reality.

Focus On What Matters, Ignore the Noise

Her current mantra is to ignore the noise and concentrate on what truly matters. By taking others’ opinions with a pinch of salt, she underlines the importance of not allowing external chatter to disrupt one's focus on personal goals and wellbeing. She advises to essentially ignore the noise of public opinion and to focus on ...

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Priyanka's Personal Growth and Evolution as an Individual

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can create a "joy journal" to document moments of rest and happiness throughout your day, helping you to recognize and prioritize these experiences. Start by setting aside a few minutes each evening to write down at least one instance where you felt at peace or enjoyed a simple pleasure. This could be anything from a quiet coffee break to playing with your children. Over time, this practice can help you identify patterns in activities that contribute to your mental wellness and encourage you to incorporate more of these moments into your daily life.
  • Develop a "flexibility mantra" to recite during times of stress or when facing unexpected challenges. Craft a short, positive affirmation that resonates with your desire to be more adaptable, such as "I embrace change with grace and creativity." Repeat this mantra when you feel the urge to control a situation or when you need to remind yourself to stay open to new approaches in parenting, work, or personal projects. This can help rewire your response to stress and encourage a more flexible mindset.
  • Engage in a weekly "creativity hour" where you explore a n ...

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PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS: Fame, Motherhood, Love and the Moment That Changed Everything

Priyanka's Current Projects and Endeavors

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is deeply immersed in various creative projects, ranging from thrilling movies to her first steps into production. Here we explore her latest involvements in the entertainment industry.

The Bluff: Priyanka's Action-Thriller Film

Channeling "Tough Mother" to Embody Fierce Pirate

In "The Bluff," an action thriller set in the 19th century and available on Amazon Prime Video, Priyanka Chopra Jonas takes on the role of a formidable former pirate. Known as Bloody Mary, her character is inspired by historical female pirates like Grace O'Malley of Ireland. The narrative centers around the lengths to which her character would go to protect her family, even to extremes, to safeguard her children.

Training to Bring Character To Life

Priyanka faced challenges while bringing her character to life, discussing how the process involved conveying emotions even during stunt scenes. She performed many stunts herself and trained extensively with her stunt coordinator, Anisha Gibbs. Her preparation for sword fighting sequences was interwoven with the shooting schedule for another project, "Heads of State." Safety was a priority for Priyanka, who emphasized the importance of checking the set herself for hazards.

Priyanka's Upcoming Bollywood Project, Varanasi

Returning To Roots and Collaborating With Renowned Director

Priyanka ventures back into Indian cinema with the movie "Varanasi," directed by SS Rajamouli of "RRR" fame. She speaks with excitement about returning to the vibrancy and creativity of Indian films. Working with Rajamouli is, for her, the perfect re-introduction to Bollywood.

Challenges Of Balancing Work and Family During Production

The production of "Varanasi" has been a long journey of 14 months, during which Priyanka has balanced work with family life. Her daughter, Malti, accompanied her to Hyderabad, even visiting a farm owned by Rajamouli's family. Constant travel has been taxing but necessary for Priyanka to remain close to her daughter, resulting in an increased airline status from the frequent flights.

Priyanka's Foray Into Production

Desire to Create Meaningfu ...

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Priyanka's Current Projects and Endeavors

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore historical figures to create unique characters for your own creative writing or role-playing games by researching lesser-known individuals from history and imagining their lives and adventures.
    • Dive into online archives or visit your local library to find books on historical figures. For example, if you're intrigued by pirates, look up Anne Bonny or Ching Shih and create a character inspired by their exploits for your next short story or Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
  • You might start a small-scale production project, like a YouTube channel or a community play, to practice bringing diverse stories to life and fostering inclusivity.
    • Begin by identifying stories or perspectives that are underrepresented in your community. Collaborate with friends or local artists to create content that showcases these narratives. For instance, if you notice a lack of representation for a particular culture in your community's storytelling, create a series of videos or a play that celebrates and educates about that culture's traditions and history.
  • Encourage entrepreneurial thinking in your everyday li ...

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