Priyanka Chopra Reflects On Why Her Music Career Didn’t Last

Actress and producer Priyanka Chopra is looking back on a chapter of her professional life that didn’t unfold as planned. In the earlier years of her career, she ventured into music with high hopes, and is now sharing why she ultimately decided it wasn’t the best move for her.

On a cover story for Marie Claire, Chopra candidly opened up about her short stint as a singer. The actress rose to fame after winning the Miss World 2000 pageant at 18 years old, which helped launch her career in Bollywood.

After working on several Bollywood movies, she transitioned to Hollywood, starring in the TV series “Quantico” and appearing in movies, including “Baywatch,” “Isn’t It Romantic,” and “The Matrix Resurrections.”

Sometime in the 2010s, however, she tried her hand at music, signing with Desi Hits! in partnership with Interscope Records. Looking back, Chopra said, “That fearless unwavering confidence in myself — I don’t know where it used to come from.”

Chopra released a few songs, most notably “In My City (feat. will.i.am)” in 2012 and “Exotic (feat. Pitbull)” in 2013. She also covered the Bonnie Raitt classic “I Can’t Make You Love Me” in 2014.

Although her debut single “In My City” was a commercial success in her home country of India, earning a triple platinum certification from the Indian Music Industry, it failed to gain the same traction in the United States. “Exotic” also had the same reception.

As Chopra reflects on that time in her career, she said, “Sure, I can’t hit the note because Pitbull or Dr. Dre is sitting right there,” she shared, adding that she realized a music career wasn’t fit for her.

“I quickly realized that I wasn’t made for it and should go back to my day job of acting,” Chopra said.

In a 2023 episode of the podcast “Armchair Expert,” Chopra told hosts Dax Shepard and Monica Padman, “I got completely caught up in this music thing, and I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m a pop star now’,” only to realize that she was much better at acting.

Interestingly, Chopra told Marie Claire that she has about 40 unreleased tracks from her time in music. When asked whether her husband, singer Nick Jonas, has ever heard the tracks, Chopra said no. “They’re in a vault somewhere until I find the confidence to bring them out again,” she explained.

Despite Chopra’s self-depracating remarks about her music career, Jonas has nothing but praise for her, saying that he listens to his wife’s opinions about his music. “She’s got a really good ear,” the singer said, adding that Chopra knew his song “Sucker” would be a hit before he did. “She has been right about a lot of things,” he added.

Chopra has tried her hand at various endeavors apart from acting, including writing a memoir, singing, and launching businesses. Now, however, she’s more picky when it comes to putting her energy into what to do next.

In 2021, she said it seemed like she was delving into a lot of things, but there came a point when she had to choose herself. In regard to her music, Chopra said, “I stayed to try it, but I had to recognize when it was not living up to my standards. I knew it was futile to spend more time there and that’s important to understand,” she explained.

Now, the actress is more in tune with what she needs to prioritize, adding, “Now I listen to my gut a lot more. I’m more instinctive, and I’ve found power in being able to say ‘no,’ which used to be hard for me.”

Chopra and Jonas welcomed their daughter, Malti, in January 2022. The actress took a significant time away from working to focus on Malti, who was born prematurely and had to spend a few months in the NICU, as previously reported by The Blast.

When it comes to choosing projects, Chopra says the work has to have personal meaning, especially since accepting a role often means spending time away from her family. “It has to touch my heart. Did it move me? Most of the work that I try to align myself with does,” she shared.

Chopra will be starring in the Indian action-adventure film “Varanasi,” which is scheduled for release in 2027.