Priyanka Chopra Addresses Critics of Her Surrogacy Decision

As a famous Bollywood-turned-Hollywood actress and the wife of pop star Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra is used to the grueling spotlight. But a new role— the role of mom—has completely changed her outlook and brought even more harsh critics to the table .

In a new cover interview with British Vogue, Chopra opens up about her life as a mother and the criticism she’s faced from day one and now wishes to shield her daughter from.

The actress’ typical criticism of her career, clothes and looks was taken to a new level last year when she and Jonas announced the arrival of their daughter in an Instagram post. “We are overjoyed to confirm that we have welcomed a baby via surrogate. We respectfully ask for privacy during this special time as we focus on our family. Thank you so much,” the post simply read.

But instead of congratulations and well wishes across the board, the new parents were met with harsh comments suggesting that Chopra had “outsourced her pregnancy,” was “renting a womb out of vanity or had “taken the easy way out.”

Instead of lashing back against trolls at the time, Chopra remained quiet and spent her energy tending to her baby girl, who spent over 100 days in the NICU after being born a full trimester before her due date.

“I’ve developed a tough hide when people talk about me,” Chopra told British Vogue. “But it’s so painful when they talk about my daughter. I’m like, ‘Keep her out of it.’ I know what it felt like to hold her little hands when they were trying to find her veins. So no, she’s not going to be gossip. I’ve been really protective of this chapter of my life with my daughter. Because it’s not about my life only. It’s hers too.”

The Quantico actress prefers to keep private the specific circumstances that led to her surrogacy decision but notes that she “had medical complications,” and that surrogacy was “a necessary step. I’m so grateful I was in a position where I could do this. Our surrogate was so generous, kind, lovely and funny, and she took care of this precious gift for us for six months,” she said.

But Chopra does have something to say to those who passed judgment on her and her decision last year. “You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’ve been through. And just because I don’t want to make my medical history, or my daughter’s, public doesn’t give you the right to make up whatever the reasons were.”

Chopra’s story serves as an important reminder of the many paths to parenthood and the need to treat everyone with compassion along their journey. If you are curious to learn more about surrogacy or adoption, talk with a friend, your medical provider or consult our guide on navigating the surrogacy process.