'Quantico' star Priyanka Chopra on her friend Meghan Markle's royal wedding
Chopra explained why she believes Markle will be a “princess for the people.”
"Quantico" star Priyanka Chopra said her friend Meghan Markle's upcoming royal nuptials to Prince Harry will be "life-changing" in an interview with "The View."
Chopra spoke fondly today of Markle, whom she met at an event three years ago, explaining why she believes the actress will be a "princess for the people."
"The world really needs strong role models. Young girls need strong role models who are real, who are relatable. And, she is really one of those people who always cared about the world!" Chopra said.
Chopra said she believes "the best part" of attending the royal wedding will be "being happy" for her friend.
"It's such a life-changing moment for ... well, both of them!" she said. "More than that, for her. She's one of us! ... To go into that life, that level of crazy. ... The people following you. Your life is under a microscope all the time."
Chopra faced scrutiny of her own recently when rumors flew around an Instagram post in which she donned a bracelet that appeared to be a "mangalsutra," which is worn to show that a woman is married.
"Who zoomed in so much?" Chopra said, jokingly, on the show today. She explained it was an evil eye bracelet.
"No, guys, I'm not married! ... When I do get married, the world will know!" she said.
Chopra is also no stranger to breaking barriers. As the star of ABC's "Quantico," she is the first South Asian actor to headline an American network drama series. She spoke with "The View" about how the show continues to feature an inclusive cast. The latest season stars deaf actress Marlee Matlin.
"[She] is epic and amazing and such a cool chick," Chopra said. "She's taught me all the bad words in ASL (American Sign Language), which is really fun!"
In light of Hank Azaria's recent comments about his iconic character Apu on "The Simpsons," Chopra reacted to his suggestion that he "step aside or help transition [Apu] into something new."
"He was the bane of my life growing up," Chopra said of Apu. "I was always asked while I was in high school at 14, 15, why I didn't speak like that? ... Or did I find gold in my rivers? Did we go to school on elephants?"
"Everyone looked yellow except Apu. That made him stand out completely!" she said. "Plus he had that accent. We don't all speak like that all the time!"
When the show premiered in 1989, Chopra said, it was "path-breaking."
"There was no other Indian characters," she said. "He was the only Indian representation on television and film."
Chopra told "The View" co-hosts today why she thought the calls for change in his character were now coming to a head.
"The voice is louder. The representation and the demand for representation for people of color is louder!" Chopra said. "It is a time where we try to erase stereotypes. ... Yes, it's a cartoon. Yes, it's a pop-culture, super-successful show but that gives it more responsibility!"
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