Priyanka Chopra apologizes for being a part of the controversial ‘activists’ competition’
Recently, actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas had to issue a statement to apologize for her participation in the television broadcasting company CBS‘s show – The Activist. According to sources, the famous actress resorted to apologizing after the show’s concept attracted a great deal of controversy and criticism on social media.
Why is The Activist being criticized?
The Activist was initially intended to be a five-week competition series featuring six activists from around the world. The six “inspiring activists” were to team up with three public figures, namely Usher, Priyanka, and Julianne Hough, and compete to bring meaningful change to one of the three urgent universal causes: health, education, and the environment.
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The success of the participating activists had to be measured by social media engagement through digital campaigns. However, the format and concept of the show were met with shock, ridicule, and outright disbelief. Many accused the makers of “performance activism” and trivializing the very idea of activism by turning it into cheap entertainment. The public figures, including actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, were criticized for their involvement in the show.
Priyanka Chopra’s Statement
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) September 16, 2021
Priyanka Chopra also acknowledged that the show got it wrong and said:
I have been moved by the power of your voices over the past week. At its core, activism is fueled by cause and effect, and when people come together to raise their voice about something, there is always an effect. You were heard.
The actress further stated:
The show got it wrong, and I’m sorry that my participation in it disappointed many of you. The intention was always to bring attention to the people behind the ideas and highlight the actions and impact of the causes they support tirelessly.
In conclusion, Priyanka Chopra Jonas said:
There is a global community of activists who fight the fight every single day and put their blood, sweat, and tears into creating change, but more often than not, they are rarely heard or acknowledged. Their work is so important, and they too deserve to be recognized and celebrated. Thank you to each and every one of you for all that you do.
Format of The Activist changed – from a competition to a documentary
In response to the backlash, the show’s producing partners Global Citizen and Live Nation released a statement, which read:
The Activist was designed to show a wide audience the passion, long hours, and ingenuity that activists put into changing the world, hopefully inspiring others to do the same. However, it has become apparent the format of the show [as announced] distracts people from the vital work these incredible activists do in their communities every day. The push for global change is not a competition and requires a global effort.
The statement further read:
We are removing the competition element from CBS’s show by reformatting the series as a primetime documentary special. Activists and community leaders worldwide work every day, often without fanfare, to advance protections for people, communities, and our planet. We hope that by showcasing their work, we will inspire more people to become more involved in addressing the world’s most pressing issues. We look forward to highlighting the mission and lives of each of these incredible people.
Speaking about the new format, Priyanka said:
I’m happy to know that in this new format, the activists’ stories will be the highlight. I’m proud to collaborate with partners who have their ears to the ground and know when it’s time to hit pause and re-evaluate.
While the show’s premiere date has been pushed back to the 22nd of October, people are unclear how Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Hough, and Usher will fit into the restructured documentary special – only time will tell.
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