She might seem like she has it all – the Miss World title, the movie credits, the famous husband – but Priyanka Chopra Jonas wasn't always this blessed.
The Quantico star has opened up about being bullied during her time at an American high school, in a new interview with People magazine. This comes ahead of the publication of Chopra Jonas's new memoir, Unfinished, which will hit shelves on February 9.
"I took it very personally," the 38-year-old told the magazine. "Deep inside, it starts gnawing at you."
Chopra Jonas was born in Jamshedpur, India, but moved to America when she was 12 years old. For three years, she lived with relatives across New York City, Indianapolis and Massachusetts. It was at her high school in Newton, Massachusetts where the bullying began.
In her memoir, The White Tiger actress reveals how other students would shout racist insults at her in the hallways. She says she tried to ignore the bullying, seeking solace among friends and a guidance counsellor, but it all became too much. This is when she decided to go back home.
"I was so blessed that when I went back to India, I was surrounded by so much love and admiration for who I was," she said. "Going back to India healed me after that experience in high school."
It was clearly the right decision, as she won the title of Miss World only three years later, and went on to have an illustrious career across both Bollywood and Hollywood, becoming the confident star many know today.
Chopra Jonas told People she hoped that by being candid in her memoir, she could encourage others who might have experienced similar bullying or low self-esteem.
"Insecurity becomes small as soon as you talk about it with someone you trust," she said. "I feel like a lot of people spend their time when they're feeling dark [in isolation]. That's the worst thing to do, is to feel sad alone."
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43 photos that show Priyanka Chopra's style evolution:
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