Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in films like The Bluff and the series Quantico, recently shared heartfelt career advice for her 4-year-old daughter, Malti Marie, should she ever follow in her parents' footsteps into the entertainment industry. In an exclusive interview with E! News correspondent Will Marfuggi, Chopra emphasized the importance of tuning out external pressures. “Focus on yourself and what your contribution is instead of all the noise,” she said. “There can be so much distraction and pressure that comes from it. I think just focusing on your craft helps and protects you to be good at what you do.”
Chopra's words come at a time when her family life is under the spotlight, with her latest project, The Bluff, set to premiere on Prime Video on February 25. The 43-year-old actress, who has built a global career spanning Bollywood and Hollywood, revealed that Malti has been immersed in the world of film sets from a very young age. “She’s been on set with me since she was one year old,” Chopra told E! News. “She traveled when she was six months, she’s been on tour with my husband and she’s very exposed to what the job is.”
Growing up with parents who are both high-profile figures—Chopra in acting and her husband, Nick Jonas, in music—Malti's exposure to the industry is normalized within the family. The couple, who married in 2018, has made efforts to integrate their professional lives into everyday parenting. “We’ve tried to just normalize it for her,” Chopra explained. “Like, every parent has a job, Mama makes movies. This is a set, this is crafty [craft services] and this is our first AD, and this is our producer and hair and makeup does this.”
Chopra described her daughter's enthusiasm for the behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking, noting Malti's curiosity about the various departments on set. “She’s seen the different departments, and I think she really loves coming to set with me. Her fascination and curiosity is just so much fun,” she said. This early involvement contrasts with the challenges the family faced at Malti's birth. Born prematurely in January 2022, Malti spent the first three months of her life in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a period that tested the couple's resilience.
Nick Jonas, 33, the singer from the Jonas Brothers, recently reflected on his daughter's remarkable spirit during an appearance on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast earlier this month. “Our daughter’s incredible… she’s magic in every sense of the world,” Jonas shared. “She just turned four a couple weeks ago. It blows my mind, I look at her and I can see her future. I just know she’s going to do amazing things, and I’m awestruck that I get to experience her magic. She’s just perfect in every way.”
Jonas also spoke about the profound impact of Malti's early health struggles on her personality. “I feel like she knows how she entered the world and what that first chapter of her life was like. And so every day is a gift, and you can actually feel it on her in the way that she behaves and how exciting everything is,” he said. “I don’t know how much she remembers. Probably nothing, [but] spiritually I believe that there’s gratitude in her and that she’s incredible.” These sentiments underscore the couple's unwavering support for whatever path Malti chooses, whether in entertainment or elsewhere.
The family's public moments offer glimpses into their close-knit bond. In June 2024, during a trip to Australia's Gold Coast, Nick and Malti enjoyed a stroll at Sea World, capturing a joyful father-daughter outing amid the marine exhibits. Later that month, the pair met characters from Paw Patrol, an event Jonas shared on Instagram with the simple caption, "We met Paw Patrol." The photo included Chopra's mother, Dr. Madhu Chopra, her best friend Tamanna Dutt, and Dutt's husband and son, highlighting the extended family's involvement.
Back in the United States, the Jonas-Chopra family has cherished simple pleasures. In August 2023, they spent a day in New York's Central Park, where Chopra posted images captioned "August magic." Photos showed Nick giving Malti a lift as they explored the green spaces. Earlier, in May 2024, Jonas shared a picture of himself with his shaved head alongside his daughter, showcasing their playful dynamic.
Malti's fashion sense, often mirroring her mother's style, has also been on display. In a 2023 snapshot, she tended to a look-alike doll dressed in matching pajamas and headband. During a summer 2023 outing, she wore an "M" denim jacket, adding a personal touch to her ensemble. Family vacations have provided more cherished memories, such as Chopra's 41st birthday celebration in July 2023 with Nick and Malti. Jonas captioned a carousel of photos from the trip, including one of him and Malti on a yacht with her in a Posh Peanut bucket hat, writing, "July was a movie."
Winter outings have brought warmth to their routine. In December 2022, Priyanka and Malti bundled up for a stroll around New Jersey, braving the cold together. That same month, the family visited an aquarium, creating underwater adventures for the young girl. Chopra has pointed to Malti's first trip to India as a pinnacle of her motherhood experience. During an April 2023 appearance on The Jess Cagle Show, she described the visit to Shree Siddhivinayak temple, captioning related Instagram photos: "MM's first trip to India had to be completed with Shree Siddhivinayak's blessings."
Holiday traditions hold special significance for the multicultural family. In December 2022, they admired Christmas lights in their neighborhood, with Chopra sharing a photo captioned simply "Home" on November 10, 2022. For Diwali in October 2022, the couple celebrated with Malti, posting on Instagram: "Such a beautiful Diwali celebration with my [heart emoji]. Happy Diwali everyone. Sending joy and light to you all." Earlier that year, in August 2022, Malti experienced her first trip to New York City, with Chopra writing, "Love like no other," as the toddler checked out the bustling streets.
Pool days in 2022 further illustrate their relaxed family time, with Nick and Priyanka enjoying the water with their little one. These moments, shared selectively on social media, reflect a deliberate effort to balance fame with normalcy. Chopra's career trajectory—from her Miss World 2000 win to starring in Hollywood hits like Baywatch and The White Tiger—provides a backdrop to her advice for Malti. Jonas, meanwhile, continues to tour with the Jonas Brothers and pursue solo projects, including his role in the upcoming Power Ballad.
As Malti turns 4, the couple's focus remains on fostering her independence and joy. Chopra's guidance on ignoring the "noise" of the industry speaks to her own experiences navigating cultural shifts and public scrutiny after moving from India to the U.S. Jonas echoes this support, envisioning a bright future for their daughter without prescribing it. Their story, marked by resilience after Malti's NICU stay, resonates with many parents in the public eye who strive to shield their children from fame's glare.
Looking ahead, with The Bluff's release on the horizon, Chopra is poised to add another chapter to her versatile resume, potentially inspiring Malti further. The family's travels—from Australia's coasts to India's temples—demonstrate a worldly upbringing that blends cultures seamlessly. Whether Malti pursues the arts or charts her own course, her parents' emphasis on gratitude and focus suggests a foundation built for success. As Jonas put it, every day with her is a gift, a sentiment that permeates their shared journey.
In the end, the Jonas-Chopra household exemplifies modern celebrity parenting: exposed yet protected, ambitious yet grounded. Fans continue to follow their updates, drawn to the authenticity amid the glamour. With Malti's curiosity blooming, the future holds endless possibilities, all underpinned by parental wisdom and love.