Thirty seconds into my interview withPriyanka Chopra, disaster nearly strikes.
Outside, the sky is ugly-crying silvery tears; a mini whirlpool is forming on the sidewalk.
Chopra leans her back against the car doorwhich the driver suddenly jerks open from the outside.
My arm instinctively jolts out, trying to save her from certain injury.
But alasChopra needs no saving.
A tense moment passes as she gathers herself, and the driver apologizes, anxious.
Kat Borchart
Im expecting a terse word or at least a hint of annoyance.Instead, Chopra chuckles.
Im actually really agile, she says to me in her husky voice, smiling.
They call me spider monkey on set.
On Chopra:Ports 1961dress;Célineearrings.
She smooths her hair, adjusts her sunglasses, and grabs her coffee from the cup holder.
Now, what were you saying?
And just like that, Ive caught my first glimpse of the Priyanka Factor.
On Chopra:COSbutton-down;Célineearrings.
The stars aligned or something when all this happened to me.
If we do that, it changes the way we are to them.
Its just logical, she explains with all the grace and serenity of Gandhi himself.)
Kat Borchart
On Chopra:Ports 1961dress;Celineearrings.
Her parents were in for a surprise.
They were like, What the hell happened to you?!
Kat Borchart
I dont know if it was something in the water in America or whatever, but I grew up.
On Her Career
Nowadays, Chopra plays the brazen and badass Alex Parrish on ABCs hit showQuantico.
Her role is, in a way, the first of its kind.
On Chopra:Célinesweater and earrings.
My part was not written for an Indian girl, Chopra points out.
Neither of which is me, by the way.
Intentionally or not, shes paving the way for a race-blind and even gender-blind Hollywood.
On Chopra:COSbutton-down;Celineearrings.
But shes quick to denounce the term “crossover.”
I dont like that word, she states matter-of-factly.
Its not something Im doing.
Im an Indian actor.
I work in Indian films, and I work in America.
The globe is my stage, and Im someone who goes where my work takes me.
Im not crossing over or crossing back.
There shouldnt be borders to talent.
When I meet up with her on that dreary Friday morning, she is supposedly freshly showered and makeup-free.
So of course, I have to ask the former beauty queen about her beauty regimen.
It isas is usually the case with the genetically blessedmaddeningly simple.
I dont even sit down when I get home after shooting, she says.
I go straight to the bathroom to remove my makeup.
It is oily, so its best to do it at night.
I do it in the day, though, too.
Foundation wise, shes aMACand Bobbi Brown girl.
They have great products for Asian skin, she explains.
The lemon has antioxidants and cleans out your system, she promises.
Its the easiest thing to doand free!
I somehow end up with one in my hand as well, and we toast hot dogs.
It is indeed delicious.
And yes, she ate both of hers.)
After hearing about her crazy schedule, it soon becomes clear that Priyanka Chopra does not rest.
I work seven days a week, she says blithely.
In India, we dont have the idea of weekendswe have a half-day on Saturday.
Kids go to school and everything.
It kind of teaches you what you have to do.
Shes the hardest-working person I know, says her publicist, and I believe her.
Once Ive done something, though, I dont even think about it.
Its like playing Candy Crush.
You never play the same level againyou just keep looking ahead.
She laughs while she says this, but the truth is clear: Priyanka Chopra is crushing it.
On Chopra:Celinesweater and earrings.
So how does she deal with the haters?
Theres a beautiful little button called block, she says.
Rotis gonna rotate?
Yeah, when you make them, they rotate!
She repeats it again, doubling over in laughter.
Thats a Priyanka original, she says, eyes twinkling.
Priyanka Factor sighting number three: check.
Our cozy car ride is coming to an end.
Chopra is headed straight to the hair and makeup chair before a full day of shootingQuantico.
Ill say it again: Priyanka Chopra never rests.
Im just a girl who works for a living … tries to survive.
Im not manufactured in any way.
Im a real person who was thrown into this world, like a baby being thrown into water.
Im just trying to stay above water.
She shrugs, then remembers one more thing: Oh, and get eight hours of sleep.
Thats my only goal.
I, on the other hand, will be going home and downloading Candy Crush.
Photography: Kat Borchart; Makeup: Pati Dubroff; Hair: Christian Marc; Styling: Jamie Schneider.
