All the Reasons Priyanka Chopra is a Global Icon

She is, after all, the original desi girl.

Updated: December 28, 2016 10:40 PM IST

By Saloni Gajjar

All the Reasons Priyanka Chopra is a Global Icon

[Photo Credit: Maarten de Boer/Getty Images]

In 2000, Priyanka Chopra won the ‘Miss World’ title at age 18. Her glimmering eyes, towering body, and contagious smile got to everybody. The beauty pageant winner left a subtle yet solid impression. Three years later, Chopra stepped into the shoes of an actor and made her Bollywood debut in “The Hero: Love Story of a Spy” opposite Sunny Deol.

Today, 13 years later, she isn’t just one of the top-grossing stars of Indian cinema, she is a global icon, and rightly so.  She has worked with Bollywood’s best actors, directors, and producers. As of 2015, she has her own television show on a prime American network. She will star opposite Hollywood’s favorite actors Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron in an upcoming movie. Her music has added to her claim to fame. Most importantly, her talent and hard-work have shone bright throughout the years, making it impossible not to fall for her charm. As she turns 34 on July 18, we take a step back and look at everything that makes her so prominent worldwide.

Her Expertise as an Actor 

[Photo Credit: Giphy]

Chopra’s earlier films will show you that she was a good actress, but perhaps not the best. Her winning the Miss World pageant contributed to her casting in the beginning. However, she continued to build upon her skills and now, without any doubt, she is one of the more polarizing actors we have seen in recent times. Whether it’s giving 100% to a role in films like “Barfi!” or “Mary Kom,” kicking ass in “Quantico,” “Don,” or “Jai Gangaajal,” or her nuanced performances in movies such as “Dil Dhadakne Do,” and “Agneepath.” These movies have defined her career as an actress. Which other actress could have pulled off playing 12 totally different characters all in the same film, “What’s Your Raashee?” Her breakout role came in 2008, however, when she played a crazed model in Madhur Bhandarkar’s 2008 film “Fashion.” Through these films, we have only got a glimpse of her talent.  Her journey from her first film to the latest is the only proof we need to know that things will only get even better from here.

Her Affinity for Excellent Music 

[Photo Credit: Giphy]

When Chopra made an appearance in the song “You Got Me Rocking and Reeling,” from Shahrukh Khan’s “Billu Barber,” he said in an interview that Chopra’s iPod playlist was perhaps the best he had ever seen. We totally support that. Maybe that’s why her own songs are totally peppy and fun. Her first single, “In My City,” made its debut in 2012 at an NFL TV spot. Could there be a better introduction to her as a musician? The song featured rapper will.i.am. Her other songs include “Exotic” feat Pitbull, a cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and she was featured in The Chainsmoker’s song “Erase.” For her Hindi movies, she sang the title track of “Dil Dhadakne Do” alongside Farhan Akhtar and also “Chaoro” for “Mary Kom.” Her songs represent so much of her personality, no wonder they are such a hit.

Representing India at a Global Scale  

She is, after all, the original desi girl. Ever since she made her debut in America as Alex Parrish on “Quantico,” Chopra became a sensation. However, she has always maintained that despite her position as a global icon, she is always connected to her roots. Her being present at the various events symbolizes so much for us.

She attended the White House Correspondant’s Dinner:

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[Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images]

slayed at the Academy Awards:

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[Photo Credit: Adam Taylor/Getty Images]

and at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards:

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[Photo Credit: Gregg DeGuire /Getty Images] 

and the Time 100 Gala, where she shared the title with others, including our other favorite Aziz Ansari:

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[Photo Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images] 

and the Billboard Music Awards:

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[Photo Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images]

and won the People’s Choice Award for Best Actress:

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[Photo Credit: Steve Granitz/Getty Images] 

Her accomplishments are well-deserved but on a larger scale, they show to the world the talent and hard-work she brings from her country. When she was a teenager, Chopra studied in Newton, Massachusetts and had to face being called a “brownie.” She claims this experience made her stronger. Today, she is proud of where she comes from, and we couldn’t be happier! Her red carpet appearances, awards, and other prestigious moments speak volumes of our country.

Our Girl Knows How to Rock an Interview 

[Photo Credit: Giphy]

It should come as no surprise that Chopra is witty, honest, and doesn’t hold back. Over the years, the actress has given several interviews but the last few years have been some of her best. Her rising prominence led to her being covered in international magazines such as being the cover girl for Complex, InStyle, New You, to publications such as Maxim India, Vogue India, and Filmfare back home. She’s even graced Malaysia’s Women Weekly cover. She deals with issues of racism, being a superstar and an inspiration to many, breaking barriers, and avoiding stereotypes, and so much more with each of them.

[Photo Credit: Giphy]

Even when she is on the red carpet or giving other video interviews, such as her appearance on “Good Morning, America,” she is always graceful and smiling. In fact, she even entered a hot wings eating contest with Jimmy Fallon on his show. Obviously, she crushed him. Her PR team must be super busy because the in-demand star is only getting bigger and better each month.

Fashion Icon 

Obviously, Chopra’s fashion sense is impeccable — both on and off screen. Whether it’s flawless Indian tradition wear in “Bajirao Mastani,” or stunning dresses in the aforementioned magazine shoots, she does a phenomenal job of looking beautiful. More than that, she credits her whole team with each Instagram post, including her stylist Ami Patel. In fact, her crew mimicked her most common pose — grabbing her hair from the side.

Most importantly, her images show a no-nonsense, strong, and confident side of her. She is bold and not afraid to show it. If her red carpet looks weren’t enough to convince you, take a look at some of her excellent fashion choices:

Love my easy breezy @anitadongre outfit styled by @stylebyami Mup @uday104 hair @pinka25 @amrapalijewels #fashiondiaries A photo posted by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on

Love my @elsaschiaparelli gown and @cartier jewels… #iifa2016 @hair_by_priyanka mup @uday104 #fashiondiaries A photo posted by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on

Being Parisian in @_dion_lee_ #fashiondiaries #desigirlinParis   A photo posted by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on

Social Media Champion 

Almost every celebrity uses their social media accounts — Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat — to share their thoughts and keep up with their fans. PC is no different. For every “Quantico” episode that aired Sunday night, there she was, tweeting away and responding to fan questions. She likes to keep her audiences in the know, thankfully, and is quite funny and deep on social media. She keeps it real, you guys. It shows us how down to earth she is. Frankly, that is why she is so relatable to people across the board.

Crazy is as crazy does! Trying to capture all the madness in my day. #MyLyfMyWay @lyf_in   A video posted by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on

Mood A photo posted by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on

 

Happy Birthday, Priyanka! More power to you.

[Photo Credit: Giphy]

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