Priyanka Chopra was in the country recently for only 16 hours but that did not deter the accomplished actress from attending the UNICEF event where she gave quite a few powerful statements as she is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The actress has become the most successful crossover star from Bollywood to make a name for herself in Hollywood and truly become a global icon, has over the years shared some amazingly succinct and poignant pieces of wisdom and advice.

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Priyanka celebrated 16 years in the Hindi film industry yesterday and on this joyous occasion let’s look at some of the pearls of wisdom the global icon has managed to impart over the years. She is one actress who has never shied away from speaking her mind but at the same time has managed to not to fuel any unnecessary controversies with her words and neither does she peak only when her films are nearing release.

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Breaking Stereotypes and the norm

Priyanka has always managed to break stereotypes right from her initial days in Bollywood when she took up the role of a wealthy seductress in Aitraaz to taking up action sequences in Drona and Don. Now she has become the most popular brown face in America through her series Quantico. On breaking the stereotype and norms about brown actors in Hollywood, she said, “When I grew up in America, I didn’t see anyone who looked like me on TV. I feel overwhelmed with the things that people have said to me. When I meet Indian Americans who’ve lived here all their lives, it’s overwhelming people holding me and crying. Someone said to me, ‘Thank you for making us relevant.’ It’s such a big thing.”

Being Flawed is a strength

Everybody wants to be perfect and especially in the glamour industry perfection is highlighted and flaws degraded. However, Priyanka begs to differ. Her take on being flawed will make you realize how confident she is in her own skin. She said, “I think it's great to be flawed. I am hugely flawed, and I like it this way. That's the fun of life. You fall, get up, make mistakes, learn from them, be human and be you.”

Opinions Matter

When she was asked about having an opinion on an issue regarding a film she had this to say, “Bans based on baseless propaganda. Holding films ransom just before they release so that publicity can be garnered for certain agendas by forcing a producer to their knees. How does no one speak up for what is right? How is this fair? People think films are just fun and games to make?! They are made with blood sweat and tears for entertainment!! Please stand by the filmmakers who put in their life’s money and hard work to make people laugh and smile. Don’t let them be blackmailed and threatened by holding their films ransom just before release. Speak up before if there is an issue! Everyone has a right to an opinion. The timing right before release just seems very suspect!! I know I may get into trouble for saying all this but I can’t be a silent witness to character defamation based on opinions anymore.. That is not what, the India I grew up, taught me.”

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When the entire country is coming to grips in the Kathua rape case, Priyanka was one of the few A-list stars who voiced her opinion and questioned the morality and the barbaric nature of the crime perpetrated against an innocent child. Her tweet questioned our collective outlook as a nation and made us look within ourselves for the crime is not a petty one.

https://twitter.com/priyankachopra/status/984477697479979008

Priyanka was crowned Miss World in 2000 and she soon took the plunge into acting at the young age of 17, but over the years she has maintained her decorum, charisma and charm with a sense of humour peppered with fiery wit. She has been working with UNICEF India for 12 years and in 2010 was appointed as the national and global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Child Rights in 2010 and 2016 respectively. She promotes feminism, equality in pay for both genders and never shies away from hailing and supporting her female colleagues. Priyanka is truly a global icon and somebody worth emulating and idolizing in real life.