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Priyanka Chopra Jonas Opens Up About Her Indian Heritage and Relationship With Nick Jonas

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Actor and producer, Priyanka Chopra Jonas spoke to InStyle about her career transition from Bollywood to Hollywood, as well as her integration into American culture while maintaining her roots. Chopra Jonas got candid about her strategic pursuit of roles in order to pave the way for more Indian actors to have the opportunity to portray multidimensional characters.

Originally from Jamshedpur, India, Chopra Jonas began her career in pageantry, winning the title of Miss India and Miss World in 2020. She used this momentum and her intense work ethic to pivot toward acting, eventually scoring roles in over 50 Bollywood films. Chopra Jonas even earned the prestigious National Film Award for her role in the Indian film, Fashion.

Regarding the diversity of characters Chopra Jonas has played, she states that she is not afraid to take on any role.

While Chopra Jonas’ acting portfolio was diverse in India, she was critical of the roles she was considered for in America, desiring only to play characters she found to be complex.

“I knew that American pop culture was not used to seeing Indians outside the box,” Chopra Jonas said, explaining that she felt a responsibility to use her career to change the way the American media portrays Indian people.

Chopra Jonas went on to accept a leading role in the hit television show, Quantico, about young FBI recruits, thrusting her into mainstream American media.

Chopra Jonas explained that she hopes to use her influence to create opportunities for actors of all ethnicities, saying that her role as a producer affords her greater opportunities to feature more diversity in film and television.

Chopra Jonas mentioned the success of Indian producers and actors, Aziz Ansari and Mindy Kaling, explaining that the two have made great strides toward Indian representation in American media by writing the characters they play.

She explained that in her vision for the future of casting in Hollywood, “your ethnicity is your asset, not your identity.”

Chopra Jonas stated that her ethnic background has also impacted her personal life, specifically her relationship with husband Nick Jonas, stating that sharing her culture made a great impact not only Nick, but the entire Jonas family.

She and Jonas celebrated their marriage with a traditional Hindu, multi day wedding in India as well as with a smaller ceremony in North Carolina.

She explained that her union with Jonas did result in some backlash from those critical of the couple’s 10 year age difference. However, she argued,”I find it really amazing when you flip it and the guy is older, no one cares.”

Chopra Jonas has become a household name not only through her career but also through public interest in her personal life. She explained that she hopes to use her influence to affect positive change.

“I want to change the world a little bit,” Chopra Jonas said. “My big endgame is creating a formidable career and legacy for myself, but at the same time I want to have moved something,”

Photo Source: InStyle

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