How Bollywood Crossover Star Priyanka Chopra Made $10 Million Last Year
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Becoming a movie star isn't easy--just look at all the aspiring actors waiting tables in Los Angeles.
What's tougher? Becoming a movie star twice over. In the 14 years since Priyanka Chopra made her Bollywood debut in The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, she's managed to do just that, becoming a household name both in India and the U.S.
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With film projects in both Hollywood and Bollywood, as well as a starring role on a broadcast show and a handful of lucrative endorsements, Chopra has managed to parlay that fame into quite the paycheck.
She banked $10 million between June 1, 2016 and June 1, 2017, making her Bollywood's seventh highest-paid star.
Bob D'Amico/ABC
Bob D'Amico/ABCHer big break stateside was landing the role of FBI agent Alex Parrish in ABC's Quantico, which will enter its third season in January 2018.
In addition to picking up a People's Choice Award for her role in the series, Chopra makes more than $3 million per season, FORBES estimates.
"I did not want to be the stereotype of either Bollywood or what Indian actors are [usually offered]. The exotic, beautiful girl, or the academically inclined nerd," Chopra told Glamour about choosing the role.
Chopra is sticking with ABC for her next TV project -- a sitcom she's developing based on the life of Madhuri Dixit, a distinguished Hindi actress who moved to Colorado for her husband's job.
Courtesy of Paramount
While Chopra just made her big-screen debut in the United States with May 2017's Baywatch, she has been a star at India's theaters for over a decade.
It is in those cinemas that she earned most of her film income this year with roles in Bam Bam Bol Raha Hai Kashi and Ventilator, which she also produced.
Courtesy of Pantene
Even with a full film and TV slate, Chopra has endorsement deals to thank for over 50% of her income.
In December, she was named an official ambassador for hair care company Pantene, starring in both print ads and commercials for the brand in a campaign that also features Selena Gomez and Rhonda Rousey.
Courtesy of Nirav Modi
Luxury Indian jeweler Nirav Modi also chose Chopra to star in its campaign--one of many Indian companies to do so. She picked up a seven-figure check for endorsing the brand, FORBES estimates, as well as at least $1 million for representing Lyf Mobile, proving her dominance in India remains strong, despite her growing U.S. presence.