Priyanka Chopra refused to wear two-piece in Miss World pageant, says mom Madhu: ‘She said no, maintained her dignity with professionalism’

Priyanka Chopra was very clear that she did not wish to walk in a 'two piece' during the swimwear round in Miss World and the organisation respected her for her stance.

By: Entertainment Desk

Mumbai | March 5, 2025 05:47 PM IST

3 min read

Priyanka Chopra refused to wear a two-piece in Miss World 2000.

Priyanka Chopra might be a global star now, but she’s had fairly humble beginnings. Priyanka grew up in a middle-class household and in a recent interview, her mother Madhu Chopra said that despite being on the international stage for Miss World, Priyanka was always very clear about how she wanted to present herself. She mentioned that in the swimwear round of the pageant, Priyanka refused to wear a ‘two piece’ and the organisation respected her for her stance.

“Priyanka ka behaviour, uska conduct, kahin bhi… dekho swimwear mein bhi, they said, ‘Two piece pehno.’ (Priyanka’s behaviour and conduct have always been on point, everywhere. Even during the swimwear competition in the Miss World pageant, the organisers said, ‘Wear a two-piece.’) She said, ‘Na.’ So she maintained her dignity with professionalism. Ye nahi ki tantrum… (She didn’t throw tantrums). So they actually respected her aise kehne ke liye (for doing that),” Madhu shared with Lehren Retro.

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In the same interview, Madhu revealed that former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen was a huge inspiration for Priyanka. Her fellow participant in Miss India, Lara Dutta, who eventually won Miss World in the same year, also helped Priyanka immensely. “Lara taught her how to drape, Lara taught her how to walk, Lara taught her how to apply make-up on her own. Because they had do it all by themselves. Priyanka toh kuchh nahi karti thi, sirf kajal (Priyanka didn’t do any of this, except put kajal). So Lara is another high quality person,” Madhu said.

Madhu added that Priyanka and Lara continue to maintain their friendship and catch up when they are in the same city. Interestingly, Lara and Priyanka made their film debut together with the 2003 film Andaaz, also starring Akshay Kumar.

Appearing on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, Priyanka revealed that she and fellow contestant Dia Mirza called Lara “mom” for always helping them out with their make-up. When she appeared on the chat show, Lara confirmed that and said, “For me, winning Miss India and Miss Universe was my primary focus. However, without sounding morbid, once you’re gone, your achievements won’t really matter. Life offers very few moments when you can make a positive impact on someone else’s life, and those moments define life for me. If I can’t be there for others, then I am not truly living, and I don’t want any of it because that is what’s most important to me.”

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