Inside Priyanka Chopra And Meghan Markle's Friendship
Priyanka Chopra, actress and philanthropist, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, are one of the most famous pairs of friends in Hollywood. They're known around the world for their acting skills and humanitarian work, and always look out for each other as well (via People). But despite their continued public support for one another, rumors have spread that Markle and Chopra are allegedly "feuding." The alleged reason? After Markle didn't ask Chopra to be a bridesmaid at her wedding — and didn't attend Chopra's wedding to Nick Jonas, either — Chopra didn't make an appearance at Markle's baby shower.
Additionally, gossip has spread that Markle and Chopra aren't on speaking terms. But rumors aside, Chopra has denied she's on bad terms with Markle. On Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, a caller asked Chopra if she was upset with Markle for skipping her wedding. Chopra laughed it off and said "no, it's not true," but didn't elaborate further.
Though we don't have answers concerning Markle and Chopra's alleged rocky status, they have history together. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle's friendship.
Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle met at the Elle Women in Television dinner
Priyanka Chopra — who's undergone a stunning transformation — and Meghan Markle first met at the 2016 Elle Women in Television dinner in Los Angeles, and really hit it off. Markle told Press Trust of India she was flattered that Chopra enjoyed some of her work, and was excited to spend time with her. "Turns out that she really likes Suits," Markle said.
Additionally, Chopra told People she bonded with Markle over their work as actors, as well as their other interests, including everything from philanthropic work to fashion. "We just became friends, like two girls would," Chopra explained. She added that their connection was natural and genuine, and they became good friends quickly.
Chopra also said that after the pair met, she and Markle were both filming in Canada at the same time and got together when they could. "We just met and chatted," she shared on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Meghan Markle says her friendship with Priyanka Chopra was an "easy, natural progression"
According to Meghan Markle, her friendship with Priyanka Chopra formed quite naturally. As she told Press Trust of India, she and Chopra quickly became friends after first meeting in Los Angeles. "You know when you meet someone and you just 'click,'" Markle explained. "It was just an easy, natural progression." After that, Markle and Chopra spent their time together in fairly normal ways, lounging by the pool and seeing Hamilton on Broadway (via Bustle).
Markle also said she and Chopra keep in touch by email and text, and always try to catch up when they're in the same town. But it's difficult at times for Chopra and Markle to visit in-person, as they both travel around the world for work, and for a period of time lived across the globe from each other.
Rumors spread in 2019 that Chopra visited Markle and newborn Archie in person, and Chopra took to Twitter to set the record straight. She clarified she wasn't "feuding" with Markle, but she also hadn't visited her and baby Archie.
Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle remain friends despite their busy schedules
As an actress and philanthropist, and the Duchess of Sussex, Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle have consistently busy schedules. But despite being short on time, the two have remained friends over the years. For one, Chopra told People it's not difficult to maintain her friendship with Markle. "I think friendships depend on people individually and how personal your relationship is," she revealed. "When you have real friendships, like ours, it doesn't matter what people look at you as or where your world goes, you sort of just, stay friends."
Additionally, Chopra joined Rachel Ray and talked about her friendship with Markle, and when Ray asked if Markle still had a cell phone, Chopra couldn't help but laugh. "She has a phone — she really is a [normal] girl," Chopra shared. Chopra added that the two still "text a lot," so they never go too long without catching up. Chopra also shared on The Wendy Williams Show she and Markle chat about their lives, but mostly her stress as "[Markle] doesn't seem to have any."
Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle bonded over their humanitarian work
In addition to the both of them being actresses, Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle are both philanthropists with a passion for humanitarian work. For starters, Chopra has been involved with charity work her whole life. She also founded the Priyanka Chopra Foundation for Health and Education and is a UNICEF ambassador (via USA Today).
With a similar passion, Markle has traveled the world and worked with various charities as Duchess. That's something that Chopra admires about Markle, as she's said she feels Markle's role as Duchess of Sussex suits her perfectly. On The Jenny McCarthy Show (via E! News), Chopra also explained she thought Markle was "born to be a global influencer," and we agree. "She's always been someone who's so just aware and interested in the world," Chopra said. "What we bonded on was how much we feel like we contribute to that as public people. I really feel like that's what she was born to do and I hope this gives her the opportunity do that."
Priyanka Chopra says Meghan Markle was always "meant for big things"
When Priyanka Chopra became friends with Meghan Markle, she knew early on that Markle "was always meant for big things." Chopra told Elle UK she admires how Markle has followed her calling and stepped into such an important role. She'd previously stated how much she admires Markle's achievements and work for the greater good, too, and even told Entertainment Tonight she felt the focus on Markle's marriage and relationship was a bit sexist. "She's an actor, she's an activist, she's a philanthropist," she shared. "I mean, she does so much more [than be Prince Harry's wife]."
Additionally, Chopra said that Markle was destined to become a duchess and help people around the world. "It's amazing that she found that calling and has the platform to be able to do it," Chopra said. "It's so amazing how lives change... Destiny has a weird way of helping you to find your calling."
Priyanka Chopra still refers to Meghan Markle as "Megs"
Despite both being superstars who are well-known around the world, Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle still have a (relatively) normal friendship. Not only do they text all the time, but they also have nicknames for each other. While Chopra is known to go by "Pri" or "PeeCee" among her family and friends, she also has the sweetest nickname for Markle.
More than once Chopra has revealed she refers to the former Duchess of Sussex as "Megs" or simply "Meg." And of course, Chopra always speaks of "Megs" in a positive light. Notably, Chopra told Elle UK she believes "Megs" has remained true to herself after becoming a mega celeb. "The beauty of Meg is that she's been herself through all of this," Chopra told The Sunday Times. "Now that she's got a real platform, she talks about the same things she always did." She added that what you see is what you get with Markle, a woman who has always wanted to "move the needle."
Meghan Markle thinks Priyanka Chopra is "unbelievable"
It's no secret that Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle think extremely highly of each other, but there are still times when they are completely blown away by the other as well. In an interview with Press Trust of India, Markle raved about her "good friend" Chopra. While talking about her acting and philanthropic achievements, Markle described Chopra as "unbelievable."
And Markle is right, Chopra is a force to be reckoned with. In 2000 she won Miss World, and shortly after she started acting in India. Chopra starred in Bollywood films for years — over 50 movies, which is quite a feat — and in 2015, she landed the role of Alex Parrish on ABC's Quantico. That made Chopra the first South Asian woman to headline an American network series, and she's continued to break boundaries since (via Insider).
Chopra also focuses on charity work in her free time, where she champions education, equal rights for women, and ending world hunger. She was even named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2016, which really is pretty unbelievable. Markle was right in her assessment!
Priyanka Chopra said Meghan Markle's wedding was "life changing for the world"
Priyanka Chopra wasn't a bridesmaid at Meghan Markle's wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, but she was still in attendance to watch her close friend live out a "fairy tale" wedding. And while Chopra was excited to see Markle get married, she also felt Markle's wedding represented something more. "It's not just going to be life-changing for the both of them, I think it's life-changing for the world that needs to see strong women as icons," Chopra told People. "I feel like her authenticity is what's gonna make her really stand out in this new life that she's gonna take on."
Chopra even took to Instagram to celebrate Markle's special day and champion the change she stands for. "You my friend were the epitome of grace, love, and beauty," Chopra wrote in the caption. "This incredible wedding stood for hope and change... both things that the world needs desperately."
Priyanka Chopra thinks Meghan Markle is "just right" for her role as duchess
Since they first became friends, Priyanka Chopra has complimented Meghan Markle's passion for philanthropic work. And when Markle joined the royal family, Chopra shared just how monumental the occasion was. She told Harper's Bazaar Arabia she thinks Markle is exactly who the royal family needs in order to become their best selves. "I don't think anybody else would be able to do it the way she will. She's just right for it," Chopra said about Markle becoming a Duchess. "She's an icon, truly, that girls can look up to, that women can look up to."
Additionally, Chopra listed all of the characteristics that made Markle the right person for the job. "She's normal, she's sweet, she's nice, she thinks about the world, wants to change it and this was even before any of this happened," Chopra continued. She also said that Markle is admired by minorities everywhere, and represents progression "of women, of feminism, of diversity, of race, [and] of the monarchy versus everyone else."
Priyanka Chopra admires how Meghan Markle handles criticism
Meghan Markle has received heaps of criticism since marrying into the royal family, much of it undeserved — and Priyanka Chopra doesn't hesitate to call it out. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Chopra said it was "obvious" the commentary was racist in nature. She called it "really unfortunate," but said Markle is strong enough to deal with it. "If there's anyone who can handle it, it's her," she revealed.
Additionally, when Markle has received hate or has been dismissed as "Prince Harry's girlfriend," Chopra has been there to defend her. In an interview on The Jenny McCarthy Show (via E! News), Chopra said Markle is perfectly capable of rising above the hate. When McCarthy asked about the "flak" Markle had been getting for everything from her race to her divorcée status, Chopra didn't hold back. "Some people always talk crap," Chopra said. "Haters gonna hate, potatoes gonna potate, roaches gonna rotate. Who cares?"
Meghan Markle has inspired Priyanka Chopra to consider getting involved in politics
Priyanka Chopra has called Meghan Markle an inspiration to women and girls everywhere, but she's also inspired Chopra herself to consider a career change. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Chopra spoke highly of the charity work Markle pursued, and said it inspired her. Additionally, while Chopra and her husband, Nick Jonas, never considered a career in politics before, they aren't ruling it out because they both want to make a difference. "I would love to run for prime minister of India," Chopra revealed. "I would love for Nick to run for president. I don't like the things associated with politics... but I know that both of us really want to make a change. Never say never."
Chopra is already involved in plenty of charitable efforts around the globe, so the thought of her entering politics isn't as farfetched as some may think. You have our vote, Priyanka!
Meghan Markle wants to work on a Bollywood film with Priyanka Chopra
In addition to bonding over their love for biryani, a popular Indian rice dish loaded with meat and spices, Meghan Markle and Priyanka Chopra also bonded over their love for movies. In an interview with Press Trust of India, Markle revealed that one of her dreams is to work with Chopra on a Bollywood film. "I told [Chopra] specifically that my dream is to work with her on a Bollywood film, because I think it would be so much fun — she said I should do it!" Markle revealed.
While it's unclear if Markle will ever be able to fulfill that dream, it certainly would be fun to see her and Chopra in a Bollywood film together. Obviously, Chopra is a veteran in that industry, having appeared in films such as The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, The Race Against Time, and Bajirao Mastani. Chopra even won a National Film Award, India's version of an Oscar award, and a Filmfare Award, both for best actress, in 2008 for her role in Fashion.
Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle still work together
Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle may not have worked together on a Bollywood film (yet), but they do still work together on other special events. For example, in July of 2020, Chopra and Markle both spoke at the virtual Girl Up Global Leadership Summit. Other special guest speakers included Michelle Obama — who's undergone a stunning transformation — women's rights activist Liz Plank, and COO of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg.
Girl Up is a global movement founded by the United Nations Foundation that fights for gender equality and provides leadership training to girls and young women. The former Duchess of Sussex gave a passionate and supposedly unscripted speech about equality, racial justice, and empowering the next generation to fight for what's right. "Your voices are those of truth. And hope. And your voices can and should be much louder," Markle said (via Harper's Bazaar).
In her speech, Chopra encouraged young women to know their worth and make their voices heard. "You don't need millions of followers on social media to make a difference," she proclaimed. "All you need is heart, drive, and commitment. No act is too small. No age is too young."
Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle now both live in Southern California
After leaving the royal family, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry moved to Southern California to explore life on their own, away from the rest of the royal family. After living in Los Angeles for a few months, the couple eventually settled in Montecito, a quiet and more private city about an hour north of L.A. That's just an hour away from Priyanka Chopra and her husband, Nick Jonas.
Markle and Prince Harry purchased a 14,500-square-foot home for $14.65 million that includes a tennis court, a pool, a guest house, and beautiful scenery made up of rose gardens and olive trees. According to Vogue, the couple is enjoying their newfound privacy with their son, Baby Archie.
Chopra and Jonas live in Encino, Los Angeles. Their $20 million, seven bedroom, 11 bathroom home spreads across 20,000 square feet, according to Architectural Digest. Their mansion includes a pool, a bowling alley, an indoor basketball court, and a deck with "unobstructed views of the valley."