Priyanka Chopra slams racist media coverage of Meghan Markle

The actress dubs media portrayal of her friend as unfortunate, but claims: 'If anyone can handle it, it's her'

Priyanka Chopra has spoken out against racist press coverage of her friend Meghan Markle. Getty Images 
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Priyanka Chopra has accused the British press of racism in its treatment of Meghan Markle.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, the Bollywood actress dubbed the media's negative portrayal of Markle as "unfortunate" and agrees that this is rooted in the inability of some to accept a biracial woman into the British monarchy. "Of course it has to do with racism, it's an obvious reason. But the beauty of Meg is that she's been herself through all of this," says the actress.

“But if there’s anyone who can handle it, it’s her," she added.

The beauty of Meg is she's been herself through all of this

The two met at a women-in-television dinner, where they bonded over their mutual desire to "change the narrative". According to Chopra, they bonded over long conversations about activism, feminism and race, and how they could use their public platforms to effect change.

“We spent hours speaking about the difference that influence and dialogue can make to the world before this whole thing happened, so what you see now is authentically her. She’s always been the girl wanting to move the needle," Chopra said in the interview, where she also waxed lyrical about her "feminist" husband Nick Jonas and announced that "she would love to run for prime minister of India".

Last week, Chopra also called out The Sun newspaper via Twitter for inaccurately reporting that she had visited Meghan in the UK and given baby Archie a gift from Tiffany & Co. "While these are great gift ideas... this story is untrue, and I was actually in town for work. I hope whoever this 'source' is starts checking their facts more often," Chopra tweeted.

Chopra is not the first celebrity to come out in Markle's defense. In an interview with CBS This Morning in April, Oprah Winfrey denounced the media's "really unfair" treatment of the duchess. "I see all the crazy press around her and I think it's really unfair," said the media mogul.

George Clooney, who attended the royal wedding with wife Amal, also dubbed the press treatment of Markle as "a little unjust" and "a little unfair" during an interview with Good Morning Britain in March. "It seemed a little unjust, she hasn't done anything except live her life – she's a really kind, intelligent woman."

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Read more:

Priyanka Chopra speaks out about meeting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's baby boy Archie 

'Female rights are human rights': Priyanka Chopra champions education in Ethiopia 

Priyanka Chopra and Mindy Kaling to team up for new Indian wedding comedy

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