Priyanka Chopra Jonas Talks About How Racist Bullying In High School Shattered Her Confidence And Left Her Feeling Insecure

Priyanka Chopra Jonas Talks About How Racist Bullying In High School Shattered Her Confidence And Left Her Feeling Insecure

Actress, producer, entrepreneur, singer, UNICEF ambassador and now an author, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is truly unstoppable. From being an unknown teenager from a small town to becoming a global star, her trajectory to fame and success has been nothing short of extraordinary. And, it wasn’t as easy as she makes it seem. PeeCee wasn’t always this confident, boss woman that we know her to be today. I know it’s hard to believe but the former Miss World, who is an inspiration to millions of young girls and women worldwide, was once this “gawky kid” who faced racist bullying while she attended high school in the United States. She recently talked about how the experience left her completely broken and feeling insecure about herself.

In an interview with People Magazine, she opened up about how the constant bullying, name calling and racists slurs by hampered her self-esteem, to an extent that she wanted to be invisible. She said, “I took it very personally. Deep inside, it starts gnawing at you. I went into a shell. I was like, ‘Don’t look at me. I just want to be invisible.” She further added, “My confidence was stripped. I’ve always considered myself a confident person, but I was very unsure of where I stood, of who I was.” It’s incredible how the girl who wanted to be invisible once, Priyanka Chopra is the one of the most recognized faces on Earth.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Debuted These 5 Bridal Trends At Her Wedding Two Years Ago And Gave Brides Everywhere Major Fashion Inspo

 

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Experiencing the racist behaviour from her schoolmates as a teen obviously took a toll on her mental health and she even sought therapy but that didn’t really help. The harassment got to her, to an extent that she couldn’t take it anymore and finally decided to return to India to continue her studies. She said, “I was so blessed that when I went back to India, I was surrounded by so much love and admiration for who I was. Going back to India healed me after that experience in high school.”

However, Priyanka doesn’t blame the place or people but admits to have taken it personally as a kid. “I don’t even blame the city, honestly. I just think it was girls who, at that age, just want to say something that’ll hurt. Now, at the other side of 35, I can say that it probably comes from a place of them being insecure. But at that time, I took it very personally,” she said. Well, the mean girls couldn’t dim her shine and now she’s practically ruling Hollywood by being as popular and a celebrated artist in the West as in India.

PC added another feather to her cap recently by penning her memoir Unfinished, in which she has documented her childhood experiences, her journey in the entertainment industry and more. She said, “It gives you an indescribable sense of accomplishment when you tick off something from your bucket list.”

Previously, she has also opened up about how she faced abuse of power, got replaced in a role (‘cuz nepotism) and even experienced sexual harassment in our very own Bollywood, and faced racism in Hollywood as well even after becoming a successful actress. Guess she is a born fighter who charts her own path and emerges stronger than ever. No wonder the global star Priyanka Chopra is an inspiration to million young girls and women everywhere.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Is Being Accused Of Selective Activism And So Twitter Made A Thread Comparing Her Outfits To Trashcans

Anjali Agarwal

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