You may know Priyanka Chopra from her starring role in Quantico, her whirlwind romance (and engagement!) with Nick Jonas, or her fabulous red carpet style. But, there are also many things you probably don’t know about the actress—from her beauty pageant roots to her singing career and many philanthropic endeavors. As we follow her many epic bridal looks (and await the big day), here are 25 things you likely didn’t know about Priyanka.
Chopra began her career in the spotlight at 18 years old when she competed in the Miss World pageant. She was crowned the winner in 2000, and was just the fifth Miss India to ever do so. She was also crowned Miss World Continental Queen of Beauty of Asia & Oceania that same year.
Madhu and Ashok Chopra, Priyanka’s mom and dad, were both physicians in the Indian army. Her father retired from the Indian Army in 1997 and her mother has over 8 medical certifications.
Chopra’s audition for her starring role in Quantico was actually her first audition ever! Although she had appeared in a number of roles before, she had never formally auditioned for any of them.
“People kind of knew who I was and I was cast in movies because it made sense. And then I just ended up doing a lot of them because I guess I was decent at my job,” she once said on Good Morning America.
After many years in the industry, Chopra decided to start production company, Purple Pebble Productions, along with her mother, Dr. Madhu Chopra.
“Global icon Priyanka Chopra has always been inspired by the art of storytelling, and conceptualized Purple Pebble Pictures as a home from which great stories originate and a solid platform to promote upcoming talent,” the site says. “She aims to bridge the gap between emerging talent and the myriad opportunities that the world of entertainment has to offer.
The production company has produced movies such as Ventilator, which won 3 National Awards in India.
With 29.2 million followers, Priyanka Chopra is the most followed Indian on Instagram, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
Her father, Ashok Chopra, passed away in 2013. His death had a big affect on her life, as they had a strong relationship.
“I was very close to my father,” she told Harper’s BAZAAR in 2018. “Losing my dad changed me in a big way. I think it created a space in my heart which is empty, and it’s always going to be. My dad was my biggest fan, my biggest supporter. He loved my achievements, he was a major achiever himself. He was a very creative person. So just losing that and losing his insight on my life. I used to be angry with him after he died, I felt abandoned.”
Chopra has a tattoo that says “Daddy’s lil girl” in her father’s handwriting on her right wrist. She got the ink in 2012 to honor her dad before lost his battle with cancer in 2013.
Chopra was the first Bollywood star signed by Creative Artists Agency, and broke into the music scene in 2012 with her song “In My City” with will.i.am. She went on to collaborate with rapper Pitbull for “Exotic” in 2013 before fully transitioning into acting.
In 2009, Chopra began writing an opinion column, “The Priyanka Chopra Column,” for the Hindustan Times. She wrote about a relationships, her life experiences, and advice.
She is currently writing a memoir and book of essays titled Unfinished, which is set to be released in 2019 by Penguin Random House India.
Acting chops must run in the family. Chopra’s family tree includes famous actresses, award winner Parineeti Chopra, Meera Chopra, and Mannara Chopra. The cousins, although very busy, do keep in touch via group chat.
“We are extremely close-knit and keep in touch with each other all the time. We cousins, we are 14 of us, and we have this family cousins’ WhatsApp group called ‘The Chopras’. We know what’s happening in each other’s lives,” Mannara told the Hindustan Times.
Priyanka was named a global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2010, and has been a UNICEF India Ambassador for years. The actress also started The Priyanka Chopra Foundation for Health and Education, which focuses on providing education and medical care for young girls. Additionally, Chopra donates 10% of her earnings to the foundation.
Priyanka was given the nickname “piggy chops” during one of her earliest films, and it has stuck ever since. “Oh my gosh, it was a joke from one of my co-stars from a movie we did. Chops because of Chopra and Piggy because I like to eat a lot. [Laughs] It was cute for a while, but now it’s like, ‘Ahhh!'” she told Glamour in 2015.
She has affectionally been called Mimi since preschool. “Like Mimi Rodgers,” she says. “It stayed with me always. My cousins call me Mimi didi.”
Chopra praises her mother for all she’s accomplished in her life, and says that she is who she aspires to be.
“She is a feisty woman that came from a small town, who ran away from home to pursue her dream job… she was a doctor in the armed forces, has over 8 different medical certifications, is a certified pilot and she speaks 9 languages!” Chopra wrote on Instagram in 2017.
“She also used to drive around in an open top jeep (what a badass!), Whew! She’s also an amazing mother, daughter, sister, wife, business partner… She’s the one who taught me that I could be anything and everything I want to be…”
Chopra first met Meghan Markle at an ELLE Women in Television dinner. “We bonded as actors. We just became friends, like two girls would,” Chopra told People. Their friendship earned Chopra a coveted spot at Meghan and Prince Harry’s royal wedding in May 2018. Chopra was one of the best-dressed guests, wearing a lavender Vivienne Westwood suit and Philip Treacy fascinator.
In 2016, the Government of India and President Pranab Mukherjee honored Chopra with the Padma Shri award. The award one of the highest civilian awards in India.
“Such a proud moment. To be back in my country.. My capital.. Rashtrapati Bhavan & receiving the Padma Shri,” she wrote on Twitter.
Chopra, along with Bollywood stars Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Kajol, were honored as “Bollywood Legends” by Spin Master Toys UK, and had miniature plastic dolls recreated of them. Each doll came with traditional Indian clothing and is now a collectible item.
Chopra won the People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Actress In A New TV Series” in 2016 and “Favorite Dramatic TV Actress” in 2017 for her role as Alex Parrish in Quantico.
Chopra has also won two Global Indian Film Awards, six International Indian Film Academy Awards, and a Shanghai International Film Festival award, among many others.
Chopra opened up about her love of New York style food, especially hot dogs and chicken wings, in 2016. “I’m Indian, it’s all about the spice!” she told Jimmy Fallon, before they engaged in a chicken wing eating contest. Chopra says one of her favorite things about America is cheeseburgers.
She also told a fan on Twitter that her favorite food is “Khichchdi with achaar,” which is a traditional Indian lentil dish with pickles.
In 2013, Chopra played the character of Ishani in the Disney Animation Studios’s film Planes, which was a spinoff of Pixar’s Cars. Chopra’s character plays a sassy plane competing with the boys.
“She’s sexy and she’s sassy and she’s a tough girl. She’s in this world of racing with boys and she’s not afraid of that,” Chopra told Disney India.
Chopra had the prestigious honor of presenting at the 88th Academy Awards in 2016. Chopra, alongside Liev Schreiber, presented the award for “Achievement in Film Editing” to Mad Max Fury Road.
Her list of A-List BFFs includes Lupita Nyong’o, Meghan Markle, Elizabeth Chambers Hammer, Sonali Bendre, Irina Shayk, Mubina Rattonsey and future sister-in-law Sophie Turner.
In 2017, Chopra was honored with the prestigious Dadasheb Phalke Academy Award for her being an “international icon.” She received the ‘International Acclaimed Actress Award’ for her movie and TV roles.
Chopra starred alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Zac Efron in the 2017 remake of the famous TV show. Chopra played criminal mastermind and club owner Victoria Leeds in the action film.
Chopra’s fiancé Nick Jonas pulled out all the stops to get his future with the perfect bling. “Priyanka’s ring is a high quality cushion cut weighing around 4 carats,” WP Diamonds president Andrew Brown told E! News. Jonas also shut down a Tiffany & Co store in London to shop for the perfect ring, according to E!. Chopra even hosted her bridal shower at Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe in New York.
Although neither have confirmed an official date, it has been reported that Chopra and Jonas will tie the knot very soon. “She is in full-on wedding planning mode,” a source told E!.
The couple announced their engagement officially on Instagram in August, which was followed with a traditional Roka ceremony in Mumbai, India. Chopra also already celebrated her bridal shower in New York and bachelorette party in Amsterdam.
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