{
  "id": 1233390,
  "title": "‘I didn’t raise a coward’: Priyanka Chopra recalls mother’s powerful advice before a daunting party",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/i-didnt-raise-a-coward-priyanka-chopra-recalls-mothers-powerful",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T08:30:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express - Lifestyle",
    "slug": "the-indian-express-lifestyle",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/i-didnt-raise-a-coward-priyanka-chopra-recalls-mothers-powerful-advice-before-a-daunting-party-10829872/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Priyanka Chopra has often credited her parents for instilling confidence and resilience in her. In a 2017 interview with Cameron Bailey, she recounted a specific instance when her mother's words helped her confront a daunting social situation. \"I was in the car with my mom, and I was really nervous about entering some party because there were, you know, a few people that didn’t really care for me, and I didn’t care for them,\" Chopra said. Her mother's response was immediate and powerful: \"I didn't raise a coward.\"\n\nThis statement shifted Chopra's mindset, prompting her to walk into the party despite her apprehension. She went on to \"own that party,\" illustrating how her parents' advice had taught her to face challenges head-on without succumbing to fear. Chopra explained that her parents had always emphasized that if one hasn't done anything wrong, there is nothing to be afraid of. This advice, she said, still resonates with her, even after her father's passing.\n\nPsychologist Prerna Pant, from ISIC Multispeciality Hospital in Delhi, explained that such parental statements can have a profound emotional impact, particularly in adulthood. \"Parents often remain a source of emotional reassurance, and their words can remind us of the confidence and strength we have developed over the years,\" Pant said. During moments of anxiety, such reassurance can interrupt a cycle of overthinking, shifting focus from fear to action.\n\nAnxiety often leads individuals to imagine worst-case scenarios, worrying about how others will react or whether they will feel comfortable in unfamiliar situations. However, Chopra's mother's advice encourages a psychological distinction between genuine danger and fear of judgment. If a person knows they have acted honestly and haven't intentionally harmed someone, they are more likely to feel confident in facing uncomfortable situations.\n\nCourage, according to Pant, does not mean the absence of fear. Instead, it means acknowledging the fear and choosing appropriate action despite it. This distinction helps clarify that feeling nervous before entering an uncomfortable environment does not equate to a lack of confidence. Instead, it highlights the importance of recognizing and managing one's anxieties.\n\nMoreover, such parental advice can strengthen an individual's internal confidence by encouraging reliance on one's own judgment rather than constantly seeking approval from others. Over time, this shift can help people handle criticism, rejection, and uncomfortable social situations more effectively. While parental words can be powerful because they often connect to early experiences of safety and self-belief, adults should also gradually cultivate this reassurance within themselves.\n\nUltimately, the goal is not to eliminate fear altogether but to prevent it from controlling every decision. The healthiest takeaway from such advice is to become less controlled by fear, allowing for a stronger mindset that enables individuals to pause, assess the situation, and move forward with confidence and self-respect.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Priyanka Chopra credits her mother for instilling confidence and resilience.",
    "Mom's advice 'I didn't raise a coward' helped Chopra confront a daunting party.",
    "Psychologist notes parental words can interrupt cycle of overthinking and foster confidence."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘I didn’t raise a coward’: Priyanka Chopra recalls mother’s powerful advice before a daunting party",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/i-didnt-raise-a-coward-priyanka-chopra-recalls-mothers-powerful-1238562",
        "published": "2026-08-16T08:30:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}