Start-up investor, social media queen, UN ambassador: How Priyanka Chopra crafted a global portfolio beyond cinema
Chopra will next be seen in ‘The Sky is Pink’ and Barry Levinson’s Maa Anand Sheela biopic.
By ET Online | Updated:
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Priyanka Chopra made her Cannes debut this year at the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
A global star, singer, former Miss World, and often touted as Bollywood’s most successful crossover to Hollywood, it’s difficult to label Priyanka Chopra. The desi girl from Bareilly has gone on to be not just a bonafide Bollywood diva, but also an international sensation making it to global power lists, most-influential people rankings, among several others.
But it’s not just power lists for the actress last seen in Netflix’s ‘Isn’t It Romantic’. India’s famous B-town export in recent years, she has been spotted hobnobbing with Hollywood’s crème de la crème at the Met Gala, in the front row at the biggest fashion weeks, and even at the royal wedding, thanks to her friendship with Meghan Markle.
Priyanka Chopra with Abigail Spencer at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
But the recognition seems to only push Chopra, who turns 37 today, to do more. Shuttling between continents, PeeCee, as she is known to friends and colleagues, has managed to build a global following while maintaining the one she enjoys back home in India - on Instagram alone she has over 43 million followers.
The star, who started earning at the age of 17 after winning the Miss India crown and Miss World title - that reportedly comes with a $100,000 cash prize - continues to add to her extraordinary, multifaceted career.
The ‘Barfi’ actress turned producer in 2015 when she launched her production house Purple Pebble Pictures, along with mom Madhu Chopra, in Mumbai. As with most things, Chopra didn’t follow the popular path when it came to her choice of films with her production house, and rather focussed on regional cinema, producing Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Marathi, Sikkimese projects. She will reportedly also produce and star in a big, fat, Indian wedding comedy in Hollywood alongside Mindy Kaling. Priyanka Chopra at the Giorgio Armani Prive Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017-2018 show at the Paris Fashion Week.
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In 2018, just before she tied the knot with singer Nick Jonas in what was an extravagant affair spread over three days in Jodhpur, the Padma Shri recipient added another feather to her cap - turning investor. While several Bollywood celebrities have invested in fitness, food and fashion related start-ups, Chopra - who aspired to become an aeronautical engineer while growing up - chose put her money in tech, backing Whitney Wolfe Herd’s dating app Bumble. Her other stint as investor also focuses on tech and women. Chopra was part of a $8.2 million funding round for the Holberton School of Software Engineering.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas at the Chopard Love Night dinner in Cannes. Always ready with something new up her sleeve, Chopra, in March this year, dabbled with digital content, turning interviewer for YouTube. In the 'If I Could Tell You Just One Thing' special for the video-streaming platform, she interviewed designer Diane von Furstenberg, actress-rapper Awkwafina, and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.
With the amount of buzz every thing the star does creates, it comes as no surprise, that she is already penning her memoir, 'Unfinished' with Penguin Random House.
But, professional commitments and success apart, the Padma Shri recipient also found time to do some good for the world as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and UN Foundation Girl Up champion. Inspired by Anjelina Jolie, she also runs the Priyanka Chopra Foundation for Health and Education.
Films, Fashion, Social Cause: Priyanka Chopra's International Transition
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An actor, humanitarian, green crusader, fashionista, singer - Priyanka Chopra dons each hat with elegance and expertise.
She's entertained us with her acting chops, inspired us with her journey, and taught us that dreams do come true. On PeeCee's 36th birthday, here's looking at her Hollywood story.
An actor, humanitarian, green crusader, fashionista, singer - Priyanka Chopra dons each hat with elegance and expertise.
She's entertained us with her acting chops, inspired us with her journey..
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After winning hearts in Bollywood, Chopra went on to conquer international shores. Her first global stint came in 2012 when she launched her international single 'In My City' featuring will.i.am.
The song was an instant hit on home shores, and made it to the top of the charts. She also went on to release another song 'Exotic', this time with rapper Pitbull, in 2013.
After winning hearts in Bollywood, Chopra went on to conquer international shores. Her first global stint came in 2012 when she launched her international single 'In My City' featuring will.i.am.
..
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An international single was not enough for Chopra, who went on to sign with ABC Studios for 'Quantico', becoming the first South Asian to headline an American network drama series in September 2015.
The actress won the People's Choice Award for Favourite Actress in a New TV Series for her role - the first South Asian actress to do so.
There was much praise for her, and the following year, Chopra won her second People's Choice Award for Favourite Dramatic TV Actress.
An international single was not enough for Chopra, who went on to sign with ABC Studios for 'Quantico', becoming the first South Asian to headline an American network drama series in September 2015..
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In 2016, PeeCee made her way to Hollywood, signing on to play Victoria Leeds in Seth Gordon's 'Baywatch' opposite Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron. She also starred in 'A Kid Like Jake' alongside Jim Parsons, Claire Danes and Octavia Spencer which didn't create a buzz at the box office.
Currently, she's shooting for Todd Strauss-Schulson's romantic comedy 'Isn't It Romantic?' opposite Liam Hemsworth, Rebel Wilson and Adam DeVine, where she even shot a full dance sequence with the actors. Seems like Hollywood is warming up not just to the desi girl, but the song-and-dance routine too.
In 2016, PeeCee made her way to Hollywood, signing on to play Victoria Leeds in Seth Gordon's 'Baywatch' opposite Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron. She also starred in 'A Kid Like Jake' alongside Jim P..
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Chopra made her Oscars debut in 2016 in a strapless white Zuhair Murad gown, and has been a regular on most international red-carpet events ever since.
Such was the impact of her debut that in its 2017 annual year in review lists, Google said that her gown was the seventh most-searched Oscar red carpet dress.
Chopra made her Oscars debut in 2016 in a strapless white Zuhair Murad gown, and has been a regular on most international red-carpet events ever since.
Such was the impact of her debut that i..
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Along with Hollywood, came the Western talks shows. From being a regular and eating hot wings on the 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon' to making appearances on 'The Ellen Show' and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live', the former Miss World could be spotted everywhere.
But it wasn't just the films and TV shows that kept her going. In 2016, Chopra made it to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list. On professional networking platform LinkedIn, she has around 497,685 followers.
Along with Hollywood, came the Western talks shows. From being a regular and eating hot wings on the 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon' to making appearances on 'The Ellen Show' and 'Jimmy Kimmel..
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From the Brit Royal Wedding in May to the star-studded Ambani bash, Chopra has been spotted at every high-profile event, desi or international. The 'Quantico' star, sure knows how to keep her relationships going, distance and latitudes no bar.
From the Brit Royal Wedding in May to the star-studded Ambani bash, Chopra has been spotted at every high-profile event, desi or international. The 'Quantico' star, sure knows how to keep her relat..
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Chopra was one of the first Indian actors to be invited to the exclusive Met Gala in 2017. Her debut in a Ralph Lauren trench coat-inspired gown won both headlines and memes. And she followed it up this year as well, and yes, it was a Ralph Lauren (though this look was nothing like the last).
It was also at the Met Gala in 2017, that Chopra was first spotted with now-boyfriend, Nick Jonas.
Chopra was one of the first Indian actors to be invited to the exclusive Met Gala in 2017. Her debut in a Ralph Lauren trench coat-inspired gown won both headlines and memes. And she followed it up..
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Even with her busy career in films, Chopra has found time for socially-relevant issues. She was appointed UNICEF’s National Goodwill Ambassador for Child Rights in 2010, and made the International Goodwill Ambassador for Child Rights in 2016.
The actress recently visited the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, after having travelled to Jordan to meet Syrian children affected by conflict. Sharing details from her visit, the 'Quantico' actress urged people to "be compassionate for the sake of the humanity".
Even with her busy career in films, Chopra has found time for socially-relevant issues. She was appointed UNICEF’s National Goodwill Ambassador for Child Rights in 2010, and made the International ..
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