Don’t Mess With Priyanka, She is a Superstar With or Without Nick Jonas

By Kranthasi

“Finally (yo)u adopted him”, “Child marriage still exists in India”, “I guarantee this is a flop (yo)u should have married someone (yo)ur age with a big moustache not this kid”.

These are just some of the many hate comments flooding the comments section of Priyanka Chopra’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter posts of her wedding. What was supposed to be a wedding that brings together two cultures and families in unity, has sparked some controversy for one main reason: the 10-year age gap.

What is funny about this is despite there being multiple examples of the age gap being the other way around (the groom being older than the bride) in the same industry, those couples are seen as “normal”.

“Beautiful couple”, “Made for each other”, “So cute together” – in comparison, these are some of the comments made about Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan when they got married back in 2012. They share the same age gap as Priyanka and Nick- Saif is 10 years older than Kareena.

https://youtu.be/LxnR4jrfQu8

But, as the roles were reversed, society had taken it as just another Bollywood wedding and had showered them with blessings and well wishes.

Not to say that Priyanka and Nick have not been receiving well wishes, which they have, in abundance. The backlash that the newly-wed couple has got is embarrassing and sad, much like some narrow minds in our society today.

This is not just seen in India. George and Amal Clooney, 17 years. Jay-Z and Beyoncé, 12 years. Donald and Melania Trump, 24 years. Fortunately for them, they received little to no feedback as to their age gaps. In fact, most of the time, their age gaps aren’t even mentioned. Why? Because all these men are older than their wives.

A couple that received similar criticism to Priyanka and Nick was singers Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne (ex-member of One Direction) after giving birth to their child, Bear Payne, in March 2017. -Cheryl was 10 years older than Liam.

The comments floating around the Internet all had something to do with their age gap and how Cheryl was a cradle snatcher. There was even an article carried by UK-based Independent titled “Admit it- you wanted Cheryl and Liam Payne to split up”, stating that “She’s ancient” and “He’s just a Lad and Lads shouldn’t be tied down”.

While some of us are moving forward and working hard to achieve equality, some just aren’t willing to progress. Seated comfortably on their well-opportune bums, they are happy to bash people who are doing what many men have been doing for decades. If it’s a male, he’s a Sugar Daddy, but if it’s a woman, she’s a Cradle Snatcher or Cougar.

Priyanka, despite the age gap, has also received harsh words for other reasons. Some see her as “just an immigrant” and refuse to see her as the force of a woman she is, who is now slowly on her way to dominate Hollywood after bagging Bollywood.

A recent post that has now been deleted by The Cut, blatantly stated that Priyanka had married Nick for the money or fame is not fair. Before she had reportedly met Nick, she was already a rising Bollywood star in Hollywood after starring in her OWN TV show, Quantico, which aired in late 2015.

This led to her bagging roles in movies like Baywatch, A Kid Like Jake and Isn’t It Romantic. This is all AFTER starring in 56 Indian movies, mostly Hindi, with one more that is still being filmed.

Now, she proudly covers Vogue’s first issue of 2019 as the first Indian woman to do so, in Vogue’s 125-year history. With a net worth of US$28 million, it is safe to say that she can take care of herself with or without Nick. There’s nothing slowing this brown girl down.

To the happy couple, we wish you the heartiest of wishes and luck for a new chapter in your lives.