PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS: Fame, Motherhood, Love and the Moment That Changed Everything - On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Transcript

Jay Shetty (0:00)

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas (2:09)

When we were told that she's coming 27 weeks, I just shut down and we got a text saying her birth is gonna be put out. We were kind of forced into announcing her birth. We weren't ready cause we didn't know what would happen with her.

Jay Shetty (2:29)

Hey everyone, welcome back to On Purpose. Today's Guest is one of our most popular episodes ever, even though we did it digitally, even though we were all living very, very different lives. And I'm so excited that today we get to have her not just on camera but in the studio. I'm speaking about the one the only Priyanka Ch Jonas, an award winning global actor, producer and entrepreneur who is led at the highest levels of both Bollywood and Hollywood. With over 60 films to her name, multiple Filmfare awards and recognition on Time 100's most influential people list, she's become one of the most influential artists in entertainment. Priyanka's new movie the bluff, a 19th century pirate action thriller is out now on Amazon Prime Video. You won't want to miss this one, I promise you. Please welcome Priyanka Chopra. Jonas. Priyanka, it's great to have you here.

Summary

On Purpose with Jay Shetty Episode: PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS: Fame, Motherhood, Love and the Moment That Changed Everything Release Date: February 25, 2026

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Jay Shetty sits down in-studio with global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas for a deeply honest and heartfelt conversation. The episode explores Priyanka’s life transitions over the past five years, encompassing her journey from Bollywood to Hollywood, the challenges and joys of new motherhood, her evolving sense of peace and purpose, the impact of her marriage with Nick Jonas, and how she navigates public scrutiny, fame, and personal healing. At the heart is a powerful discussion about letting go, redefining ambition, and cultivating presence in family, faith, and self.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Reconnecting After Five Years

[03:21] Jay welcomes Priyanka, highlighting her remarkable dual-industry career and shared celebrations. Priyanka jokingly reacts to her accolades feeling “obnoxious” when read to her face.
[03:34] Priyanka: “It’s fine if it’s written about or at a bit of a distance, but when you say it to my face, I don’t know, it feels obnoxious a little bit.”

2. The Biggest Life Shifts: Seeking Peace & Embracing Motherhood

[05:47] Priyanka shares her newfound sense of peace, contrasting her former relentless ambition and perfectionism with her current joy in family life.
- “I think I’ve found a sense of peace. I ran really fast for a really long time and it was all I knew…Now I prioritize time with family, being at home, nesting...” ([05:47])
Talks about moving back to LA, the joy of home organization, and how values have shifted since becoming a mother.
[10:01] “Hardworking limits your mind itself to finding that balance…If you can find that balance, that’s the dream.” – Priyanka

3. Transitioning from ‘Doing’ to ‘Being’

[09:01] Priyanka discusses the value of “time to waste” as a luxury and letting herself relax without guilt for the first time in her life.
- “Having time to waste. What a luxury...to just sit and not be answerable to anything.”
Explores how ambition and work ethic, especially in South Asian culture, shaped her self-worth, and unlearning this narrative.

4. Marriage, Sincerity & Growing Together

[12:28] Priyanka reflects on how Nick Jonas’ sincerity influences her own openness:
- “My husband is just so sincere and honest—it's disarming...To see that on camera, it was a wonderful interview.” ([12:28])
- “Being married to him helped me find this ease and comfort as I navigate life.”
She shares about mutual support in parenting and how their partnership makes even tough things easier.
Parenting Rhythm: “We always talk about how we will navigate a situation and are always on the same page when it comes to her.” ([15:31])

5. Vulnerability in the Public Eye & the Power of Podcasting

[16:10] Discusses navigating honesty in a world of clips and quick judgments, why she’s experimenting with being more her “real self” in public interviews.
- “I’m trying it out with you. You’re my guinea pig.” ([17:05])
On perception vs. reality: “What I might remember may just be my perspective…Perception is definitely not reality.” ([24:37])

6. Personal Growth, Compassion & Letting Go

[19:55] Priyanka discusses being hard on herself, learning patience, and how motherhood taught surrender and perspective.
- “I used to always feel like the sky will fall if I stop working one day...”
Jay and Priyanka exchange Zen teachings on letting go (“Letting go is hard, but holding on is harder.” – [23:09]) and discuss reconciling with their former selves.

7. Learning from Therapy, Self-Compassion & Nick’s Role

[19:00] Priyanka reveals lessons from therapy and her ongoing process of understanding herself, forgiving the driven, younger “control freak” version.
- “I look at my 20-year-old self and applaud her for surviving…” ([23:37])
On being a perfectionist and her younger self’s unapologetic ambition, now softened with perspective and self-acceptance.

8. Dealing with Public Scrutiny and Social Media Negativity

[43:53] Priyanka shares handling public commentary about her marriage:
- “I just don’t think about it anymore. I want to focus on the good in my life…and I feel really blessed.”
Offers advice on boundaries, selective sharing, and protecting privacy, drawing parallels between social media and traditional “back-of-the-kitchen” gossip in Indian families ([47:03]).
- “Nothing’s really changed. It’s just how much information we are absorbing…protect your sanity by understanding this comes with the territory.” ([47:04])
Memorable quote: “There’s a Hindi song: ‘Kuch toh log kahenge.’ People will always have something to say.” ([50:00])

9. Her Bollywood Exit: The Real Story

[51:29] Addresses others’ claims she was pushed out of Bollywood:
- “I did feel like I was in a place where I felt cornered, where work was limited, and in order to survive…I just needed to move…This time, it just happened to be across continents.”
Candidly discusses the challenges of political, moment-driven industry dynamics.
Shares how music (her short-lived pop star era) and key mentors helped her transition, but ultimately acting in Hollywood allowed her to rebuild from the ground up:
- “I was drowning and I was suddenly pulled out and I could breathe.” ([55:01])
On starting over: “It meant kind of erasing my accomplishments up until now…you have to start all the way at the bottom again.” ([60:50])

10. Loneliness, Loss, and Rebuilding in Hollywood

Opens up about losing her father during this period, navigating grief, isolation, and starting afresh in a new country.
Finds gratitude for the people who supported her: “They really held me together at that time when I didn’t have friends and family around me.” ([65:16])

11. Celebration and Expressing Appreciation

Discusses making a conscious habit of reaching out to appreciate people while they’re alive—a practice inspired by loss and missing the opportunity with her father ([67:28]).
- “Everyone deserves to hear that you are appreciated…”

MOTHERHOOD & THE MOMENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Birth Of Her Daughter, Malti Marie

[76:19] Priyanka details her and Nick’s struggle with infertility and their daughter’s dramatic premature birth at 27 weeks.
- “She’s a miracle baby because she was my only hope at that time to be able to have a baby. So when we were told she’s coming at 27 weeks, I just shut down...”
Vividly describes Malti’s struggles in the NICU—her fragility, medical challenges, and the emotional and spiritual resilience it required:
- “We did shifts so she could be on our skin…the nurses said from day two of life that we should do skin to skin. Nick would sing to her… I had my mantras playing all day…”
- “It was a brutal time. But I think I talk to myself in tough situations…Once I got out of the stunned nature of it, I realized how afraid she must have been, so I didn’t have the privilege of being upset. I had to show up as her mom.” ([78:47])
Touching arrival home:
- “That’s the first time I really wept—for the grace that she survived, that she was home, that she chose us…”
On accepting timing and her journey:
- “If I would have done it earlier, would it have been the wrong time? It wouldn’t have been her soul…It couldn’t have been any other way.” ([85:05])

The Power of Faith

[87:52] Faith is described as the anchor in her hardest moments, rooted in her family’s spirituality and her own relationship with Shiva.
- “Faith should feel like a hug, like a safe place. And my faith has always felt like that to me.”

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

On Growth: “When you’re holding onto something really, really tight…you’re exhausting your muscles. And that’s people who like to control things…And maybe that was how I achieved what I did, but that’s something I’ve really worked on.” ([21:06])
On Parenting: “You think you’ve done all the self-work and then you have a child and you’ll know exactly how far you are…” ([20:01])
On Resilience: “I have to smile for her, I had to equip myself to take care of a preemie baby and make sure she’s the healthiest she can be. It’s not about me or him.” ([78:47])
On Partnership: “What every girl wants is to be with a man competent enough that you will trust them to guide you in the right place…Nick has this innate wisdom that I trust.” ([42:24])
On Self-Acceptance: “To be able to forgive yourself for how you were when you were young…just focusing on the future and present…” ([25:14])
On Navigating the Public Eye: “People will have an opinion on you. So protect your sanity by understanding that this comes with the territory.” ([47:04])
From Nick Jonas’s Letter: “You’re the center of our universe. Building this life with you is the greatest honor I have. Knowing we’re a team gives me a sense of peace I can’t even describe.” ([91:24])
On Faith: “Faith should feel like a hug…My faith has always felt like that to me.” ([89:44])

TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS

Finding A New Pace of Living & Parenting: [05:47] – [10:51]
Therapy & Letting Go of Control: [19:00] – [24:37]
The Importance of Appreciation: [67:28] – [70:26]
Dealing with Social Media & Gossip: [43:53] – [50:10]
Bollywood Exit & Reinvention: [51:29] – [61:16]
Motherhood & Malti’s NICU Journey: [76:19] – [87:02]
Power of Faith: [87:52] – [89:44]
Intimate Letter from Nick Jonas: [91:02] – [93:05]
Work, Ambition, and Enterprising Mindset: [115:17] – [118:31]
Playful Game Segment (“Would You Rather” & Gut Reaction): [97:42] – [111:23]

CONCLUSION

This episode stands out for its layered, candid exploration of identity, perseverance, love, grief, faith, and reinvention. Priyanka Chopra Jonas shares her journey through immense challenges—personally and professionally—while emphasizing that presence, openness, and compassion (for herself and others) are now her guiding values. Her wisdom on surrender, boundaries, and thriving beyond prescribed “lanes” will resonate with anyone navigating transformation, adversity, or high-stakes ambition.

Recommendation: Listen for wisdom on letting go, healing in family and motherhood, and inspiration to trust your journey—however unpredictable or unconventional.

End of Summary.