Priyanka Chopra on James Bond, Fashion, and Vices

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(Image credit: Amanda Demme)

published 10 August 2016

"I never plan too far ahead," says Priyanka Chopra. "Man proposes, God disposes. Why waste my time?" Wise words, considering the 34-year-old actress's path to Hollywood was anything but conventional.

Born in Jamshedpur, India, she stumbled into acting after her mother submitted headshots—which Chopra originally took for an aeronautical engineering program—to the Miss India national beauty contest, and she went on to win the Miss World pageant the following year. After that, the movie offers poured in (she's now been in more than 50). When she landed the role of FBI recruit Alex Parrish on ABC's thriller Quantico, she became the first Indian actress to headline a prime-time network show. "It's a lot of physical work," she says. "But the real challenge was convincing America that I could play an American girl."

"I never plan too far ahead. Man proposes, God disposes. Why waste my time?"

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Mission accomplished. Next year, she'll costar in the highly anticipated Baywatch reboot—about as all-American as it gets. Her character is equal parts Indian flash and American sizzle. "She's a billionaire bitch on a beach wearing couture," she says, laughing. "I want to be her."

In reality, Chopra—named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People this year—rocks a no-frills uniform of jeans, jackets, and boots, though she harbors a penchant for high fashion ("I will die in Chanel!"). With Quantico's second season airing this fall, she's eyeing her next project carefully. On that fan-led effort to cast her as the first female Bond? "Depends on the part," she says. "She'd definitely have to be called Jane."

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Ideal Weekend: "Going to the beach and binge-watching a TV show while eating pizza."

Finishing Touches: "My evil-eye bracelet with a mantra on it, and a necklace that belonged to my dad."

Must-Have: "My Valentino camo-print backpack; I carry my whole life in it. If I get on a plane and lose my luggage, I can survive with just my backpack."

Last Purchase: "First edition copies of Robinson Crusoe and Arabian Nights at a vintage bookstore in Savannah, Georgia—I'm a voracious reader!"

Her Vice: "Eating. I love chicken wings, pizza, burgers, and Thai food!" [Editor's Note: True story—Chopra ordered a burger on set.)

Go-To Look: "I'm a very jeans, jacket, and boots kind of girl."

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1. SUNGLASSES $550, Dax Gabler; daxgabler.com. 2. JEANS $295, 3x1 at Saks Fifth Avenue; (212) 753-4000. 3. JACKET $2,500, Balmain; (212) 966-4200. 4. EARRINGS $375, Aurélie Bidermann; (212) 335-0604. 5. BRACELET $1,355, Lito; kirnazabete.com. 6. TOP $411, Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh; off- - -white.com. 7. JACKET $1,595, Rosie Assoulin; modaoperandi.com for similar styles. 8. NECKLACE $1,825, Foundrae; barneys.com. 9. BAG $2,400, Miu Miu; miumiu.com for stores. 10. BACKPACK $1,495, Valentino Garavani; valentino.com. 11. SHOES $1,695, Lanvin; (646) 439-0380. 12. BRACELET $1,785, Jemma Wynne at Bergdorf Goodman; (800) 558-1855. 13. BROOCH $600, Chanel; (800) 550-0005. 14. SHOES $1,095, Jimmy Choo; (866) 524-6687.

Fashion editor: Brittany Kozerski This article appears in the September issue of Marie Claire, on newsstands August 16.