Priyanka Chopra responds to criticism over 'The Activist': 'The show got it wrong'
"You were heard."
Priyanka Chopra responded Thursday to the backlash against her upcoming new show, "The Activist," which critics say pits activists against one another.
The initial concept of the show was to have contestants compete in several challenges for a cash grant and to raise awareness for their particular issue. Aside from Chopra, Usher and Julianne Hough were set to serve as judges.
The backlash was immediate when the series was unveiled. Chopra took to Instagram to acknowledge the growing complaints and announced, "You were heard."
"The show got it wrong, and I'm sorry that my participation in it disappointed many of you," the actress continued. "The intention was always to bring attention to the people behind the ideas and highlight the actions and impact of the causes they support tirelessly."
CBS has since announced plans to revise "The Activist," turning it into a documentary that will remove all competitive elements and instead celebrate the six individuals and their work.
CBS and producing partners Global Citizen and Live Nation said in a joint statement: "Activists and community leaders around the world work every day, often without fanfare, to advance protections for people, communities, and our planet. We hope that by showcasing their work we will inspire more people to become more involved in addressing the world’s most pressing issues. We look forward to highlighting the mission and lives of each of these incredible people."
Referencing the show's new direction, Chopra added, "I'm happy to know that in this new format, their stories will be the highlight, and I'm proud to collaborate with partners who have their ear to the ground and know when it's time to hit pause and re-evaluate."
The star's remarks come a day after Hough apologized, saying the show "missed the mark" and she understood why critics called it "tone-deaf."
"The Activist" was originally intended to premiere in late October. CBS, in tandem with the show's production partners Global Citizen and Live Nation, has yet to announce the airdate for its revised documentary.
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