Actor Priyanka Chopra took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, sharing candid thoughts about her early years and entry into the world of entertainment as a teenager. In an Instagram post on Monday, the global star opened up about her transformation over the years, humorously recounting her “awkward pre-teen era” and reflecting on how much she has grown—while admitting she’s still figuring it out nearly 25 years later.
Accompanying her post was a picture collage of Priyanka: one image of her as a 9-year-old with a boyish haircut, and another as a 17-year-old, fresh from her crowning as Miss India in 2000. The contrast between the two pictures beautifully illustrated her journey from childhood to her rise as an international star.
Priyanka wrote, “Warning: Don’t troll my 9-year-old self. So wild to think about what puberty and grooming can do to a girl. On the left is me at my awkward pre-teen era with a ‘Boy cut’ hairstyle so it wouldn’t be cumbersome at school. (Thanks ma @drmadhuakhourichopra) I went from a ‘katori cut’ to this. So it was a win.” She hilariously acknowledged the drastic difference, adding, “And on the right is me at 17, having just won Miss India in the year 2000 and basking in the glory of hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Both pictures taken less than a decade apart.”
Channeling her inner pop icon, Priyanka quoted Britney Spears, writing, “As Britney Spears very articulately put it… I’m not a girl, not yet a woman.” She continued, “That was exactly how I felt then, entering the big world of entertainment. Almost 25 years later… still figuring it out. Though, aren’t we all? Looking back at my younger self often makes me kinder to myself today.”
Priyanka wrapped up her introspective post with a message of self-love and reflection, encouraging her followers to appreciate their younger selves for everything they’ve gone through. “Think about your younger self and how much she has done for you. Love yourself, you’ve gone through a lot to be where you are today. What did your younger self do for you? Post your #growupchallenge #mondaymusings.”
On the professional front, Priyanka has been keeping busy. She recently completed shooting her upcoming film The Bluff, directed by Frank E Flowers and co-starring Karl Urban. The film, set in the 19th-century Caribbean, follows the story of a former female pirate, played by Priyanka, who must protect her family when her past comes back to haunt her.
In addition to The Bluff, Priyanka is gearing up for Heads of State, where she’ll be starring alongside action heavyweights John Cena and Idris Elba. The actor has also started shooting for the second season of her action-thriller series Citadel.