Priyanka Chopra Reminisces About A 'Very Scary' Time In Hollywood

Priyanka Chopra shines as a standout figure among Bollywood actors who've seamlessly transitioned into Hollywood . The former Miss World, now flourishing in both Eastern and Western entertainment industries , candidly discussed her initial challenges in Hollywood during a conversation with Cavanaugh James on his podcast, Read The Room.

Priyanka recounted instances of being overlooked for meetings despite her impressive portfolio, reflecting, “I had featured on the cover of a certain magazine six times in my country, but in the US, they wouldn’t even take a meeting with me.”

The star of "The Citadel" reflected on her numerous rejections as a humbling journey, expressing, “I put my head down and did my work. I didn’t bring my pride of ‘I am a leading lady and blah blah…’ That’s what helped me find a position in which I am today.”

Priyanka Chopra candidly revealed her sense of disorientation and isolation while navigating life in the USA, expressing, “It was the industry that I didn’t know, the people, I didn’t know, I didn’t have friends who would call at 2 in the morning. That’s very important. I was very lonely, and it was very scary. I was in New York City, which, anyway, is a daunting city. It was a dark period of my life.”

She underscored the significance of releasing missed opportunities and embracing forward momentum, stating, “I am solution-oriented, but sometimes there are no solutions, and you have to let it be. That’s the lesson that helped me ride the wave instead of fighting it.”

Priyanka Chopra made her move to the USA in 2012, coinciding with the release of hit songs like "In My City" and "Exotic." Fast forward over a decade later, she has amassed an impressive portfolio of projects including blockbuster films like "Baywatch" and "The Matrix Resurrections," as well as high-budget television shows such as "Quantico" and the upcoming "Citadel." Her most recent appearance was in the romantic drama "Love Again," starring alongside Sam Heughan and Celine Dion. Up next, she takes the lead in the action comedy "Head of State," featuring esteemed actors Idris Elba and John Cena in prominent roles.

In India, Priyanka Chopra revels in the triumphs of films produced by her production company, Purple Pebble Pictures, founded in 2015. Notably, the documentary "To Kill a Tiger," released in 2022, garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature Film. Moreover, the Marathi film "Paani" was honored with the esteemed National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation in 2019, further solidifying the production house's commitment to impactful storytelling.