Priyanka Chopra opens up about her 'dark period' in Hollywood

Priyanka Chopra opens up about her 'dark period' in Hollywood
27 Apr 2024

Priyanka Chopra Jonas was an established actor in Bollywood when she decided to take the plunge and find career opportunities in Hollywood.

Expectedly, the path was laced with difficulties, with the actor facing rejections and initial roadblocks.

In a recent conversation with Cavanaugh James on his podcast Read The Room, she referred to this time as a "dark period" in her life.

Chopra Jonas felt 'incredibly lonely and scared' in NYC
Emotional struggles

Chopra Jonas described her early days in New York City as intimidating, contributing to her feelings of fear and loneliness.

"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."

"It was a dark period of my life."

'They wouldn't even take a meeting with me'
Rejections

Chopra Jonas found herself starting from scratch in the American film industry.

She faced numerous rejections and instances where people declined to meet her.

"It was like starting all over again. I started right from the beginning. 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. "

Moreover, she also lost an opportunity since "somebody's girlfriend" got that role.

Chopra Jonas chose to view rejections as humbling experiences
Persistence

She chose to view these rejections as humbling experiences, focusing on her work rather than dwelling on the setbacks.

"It humbles you. I decided not to let it upset me or see it as a closed door but rather find another way."

"I was like I am not going to be upset by it...I put my head down and did my work. I didn't bring my pride of 'I am a leading lady and blah blah..."

Her Hollywood journey began with 'Quantico'

Her Hollywood journey began with the 2015 television series Quantico and she also ventured into international music with tracks like In My City and Exotic.

Despite facing initial hurdles, she remained resilient and refused to let tough times "rip her apart".

"I am a very ambitious woman. I run very fast. I want everything to be solved. I am solution-oriented. But sometimes there are no solutions, and you have to let it be," she shared on the podcast.

Take a look at PCJ's next projects

Last year, the actor-producer was seen in Citadel and Love Again.

She is currently filing Heads of State, which co-features Idris Elba and John Cena.

She also has The Bluff in her kitty. It's directed by Frank E Flowers and produced by AGBO Studios and Amazon MGM Studios.

Chopra Jonas has lent her voice to Disney+ Hotstar's documentary Tiger, too, which landed on the streamer recently.