Actress and producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Favourite Things

Ten minutes feels a short time to interview anyone, but if any A-lister can nail it, it’s Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

The Hollywood star, 39, began life in the spotlight at the tender age of 18 when she took the Miss World crown for India, and has been a sensation ever since.

She made her name starring in Bollywood blockbusters before navigating continents and audiences to crack Hollywood (one of the only South Asian women to do so), starring in the Baywatch remake alongside Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, then headlining spy thriller Quantico. She’s now the lead in Amazon’s drama Citadel, alongside GoT’s Richard Madden.

In 2018, after attending Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s nuptials in May, Chopra closed the year by marrying US singer Nick Jonas in a blow-out Indian ceremony in Jodhpur (in a palace, no less) after a whirlwind romance. The couple have welcomed a child into their family via a surrogate.

For mere mortals, lockdown may have been a worldwide exercise in navel-gazing and banana bread-making, but Chopra Jonas’ world didn’t stop. The superstar released her biography Unfinished and produced and starred in the highly acclaimed The White Tiger on Netflix, a darkly comic rags-to-riches drama which was nominated for a gong at the 2021 Oscars.

Now she’s back on the big screen in The Matrix Resurrections (out Dec 22), starring alongside most of the original cast.

Hollywood fame aside, Chopra Jonas is the face of a number of luxury brands, with her most recent appointment as Max Factor’s Global Ambassador, owned by Coty.

We snatched ten minutes from her 100mph schedule for a quick chat.

Congratulations on your new role as Max Factor’s Global Ambassador. What is it about the brand that aligns with your values?

Legacy. Max Factor is such a legacy brand, it’s evolved with generations and they stand for empowerment and expressing yourself; being the best version of you. Stepping into your most amazing self. I’ve always advocated being unique and that’s what Max Factor stands for. Our brand values align so it was a no-brainer.

What are your most coveted products from the brand?

I’m a lip person, I love different colours of lipsticks. I love Max Factor’s matte collection. Medium skin tones need warm shades - cold colours are not the best. The one I’m wearing right now is Soft Berry (£9.99, Superdrug). Sun Bronze in the Colour Elixir range (£8.99, Superdrug) has this shimmery daytime bronzey fun but at the same time, a little colour that works well for my skin tone. There’s a red called Chilli that I like as well (£5.74, Notino).

I love the Facefinity All Day Flawless Airbrush Finish 3-in-1 Foundation (£13.99, Boots). I’m not someone who likes a face full of makeup; I don’t want it to feel heavy. I’m an actor, I need mobility! This has a primer, a concealer and foundation - but it’s super light. Just a few drops are all I need.

I’m also big on mascara. I love the brush of the Divine Lashes (£11.99, lookfantastic.com). It gives me a lot of length but it’s not clumpy.

You’re in The Matrix Resurrections - what does it feel like to be part of such a cult phenomenon?

It’s amazing! They could have asked me to do a walk-on part and I would have been like, YES. My generation is defined by the Matrix movies. When the first one came out, it changed the experience of what cinema was. The possibilities suddenly expanded. Being part of it now, and especially with the original cast like Keanu, Carrie-Anne, and Neil Patrick Harris was such an incredible experience.

Most of the time on set, I was just looking around starstruck. You might meet people off camera but when they’re doing the scenes and you have the ability to watch that happen as the characters, that’s iconic. When I saw Neo and Trinity I was like, warrgh!! Total fangirl. I’m just grateful to be part of such a legacy.

What’s your style in a nutshell, and what are your wardrobe staples?

My mood defines what I wear. If I want to make an effort you might see me in a tight dress or jeans, but if I’m not in the mood you might see me in a monochromatic set. Monochrome is such an easy way of making people think you’ve made an effort. I have a whole shelf in my closet that are matching sets I can just grab.

My style is comfortable, but well turned out. That’s a recent phenomenon by the way, I think it happened in my thirties. I don’t know why, I just feel the need to be more turned out.

Netflix’s White Tiger was such a hit, what’s next?

My company Purple Pebble Pictures has a first look deal with Amazon, we’re doing really incredible work. I have just forayed as a producer into Broadway with my company.

I think I’m expanding myself as a producer and creating opportunities for people of colour, for Indians - but for myself too. To be able to give myself the opportunity for parts that may or may not be written for me. Now, not every one of them may go to the Oscars like White Tiger, but the attempt is to be able to create content which has something to say, and yet to put culture and diversity at the forefront. It’s an exciting time.

You have a London residence, what’s your dream shopping day when you’re in town?

I’m not much of a shopper, I don’t have the patience to go to five different shops. I need it to be made easy for me which happens at Harrods because they have everything under one roof. I’ll have lunch somewhere fabulous, maybe dinner at the Dorchester rooftop, and a facial at 111Skin which is amazing.

Who’s your ultimate shopping buddy?

My husband, Nick. He’s the best shopper, the most efficient - and he actually likes it.

What are your travel/ in-flight essentials?

I love doing a sheet mask on a long flight. My water bottle is always full. Moisturise, especially hands and feet on a long flight as it’s very drying. And I like to pack sweats to change into so when I get off my clothes are not all rumpled and crumpled.

What’s your signature fragrance?

Olfactory memories are so visceral; when you spray something it reminds you of a memory. I choose a fragrance for every character I’m playing. At the moment my ‘work’ perfume is Valentino’s Donna Roma (£56, The Perfume Shop), which I love. That’s for my character in Citadel, that’s what she wears.

I wear Kilian perfume otherwise. I change every couple of years but Kilian has stuck around with me for a bit. I love mixing perfume. Depending on my mood, I’ll mix in a men’s fragrance. There’s one from Tom Ford - I can’t remember the name, but Nick wears it. I mix it with my perfume to add a little funk to it.

Nick has his own cologne which he did with JV (£44.90, Amazon) which I love mixing with my Kilian.

How important is self-care, what’s your routine?

Self-care is important. My schedule is often so busy that I need to dedicate time each week to ensuring I get my self-care fix. Aside from doing the usual tips and tricks – bubble baths, relaxing music, podcasts, reading, I also love finding new DIY tips when it comes to beauty and skincare, and sharing these with my lovely followers.