Priyanka Chopra Says Walking Away From Fame To Rebuild Career In 30s Was ‘Terrifying’

Priyanka Chopra was already a leading star in Indian cinema when she chose to start over in a new country. With hit films, powerful roles, and a stable career behind her, she had little left to prove.

Yet she felt she had reached a point where her growth had plateaued. Seeking more challenging opportunities, she moved to Los Angeles in 2013 at the age of 30 to build a new career. The fresh start, she admits, was “terrifying.”

There was no clear roadmap waiting for her in Hollywood. She initially ventured into music, signing with Desi Hits in partnership with Interscope Records. The early phase didn’t bring the success she had hoped for, but she refused to give up. Years of persistence and steady effort gradually helped her carve out a place in Hollywood. Today, she says, she is “in a position now where I get to pick the things that I want to make.”

Priyanka Chopra Felt ‘Scary’ To Start Over At 30

In a conversation with Variety, Priyanka Chopra said, “To restart your career in your 30s is terrifying. I was secure. I was doing well financially. I was established. And I chose to blow it up. It took many years to be sitting where I am right now, a lot of pavement-pounding. I am in a position now where I get to pick the things that I want to make. I understand the privilege of that very much, and I take it very seriously. Discipline was a really big part of our growing up. Your word is your bond. If you say something, you have to stand for it.”

When the former Miss World began taking meetings in Hollywood, she sensed that many had already formed preconceived notions about her. The conversations were polite, yet she was surprised by some producers’ reactions, particularly their astonishment at her fluency in English. Despite this, she remained focused on her bigger vision. She didn’t want to limit herself to working in just one country or for a single audience. Her ambition was to collaborate with artists from around the world and help tell stories that transcend borders.

Priyanka Chopra’s Hollywood Journey And Upcoming Projects

Priyanka Chopra gained attention with three seasons of the TV series Quantico. She then appeared in projects like The Matrix Resurrections and the Oscar-nominated film The White Tiger. She will soon be seen alongside Karl Urban in The Bluff, where she plays a brave mother in the 19th century Caribbean. Priyanka is also returning for Season 2 of Amazon’s Citadel and will be part of director SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film Varanasi.