Priyanka Chopra Opens Up About the Emotional NICU Journey With Daughter Malti
Actor Priyanka Chopra has shared one of the most vulnerable chapters of her life — the emotionally overwhelming days following the premature birth of her daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. Speaking candidly on the Jay Shetty Podcast, Priyanka revealed how she and her husband, singer Nick Jonas, navigated fear, uncertainty, and even media pressure while their newborn was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Priyanka and Nick welcomed Malti in January 2022. But what should have been a joyful and celebratory moment quickly turned into a deeply personal and traumatic experience.
“It Was a Personally Traumatic Time”
During the podcast conversation, Priyanka described the early days after Malti’s birth as emotionally intense and unpredictable.
She shared that only one parent was allowed inside the NICU at a time. The restrictions made the situation even harder for the couple, who were already overwhelmed with concern for their newborn daughter.
The first time Malti cried, Priyanka said, it was barely audible. “It was like a cat,” she recalled, mimicking the tiny kitten-like sound. That faint cry was all they got — a fragile reminder of how small and vulnerable their daughter was in those first few days.
While Priyanka’s mother and Nick’s parents immediately flew down to support them, the couple spent most of their time going in and out of the hospital, living day by day, hoping for steady progress.
She described that phase as “such a personally traumatic time,” a period filled with uncertainty and emotional exhaustion.
Forced to Announce Malti’s Birth Before They Were Ready
Amid the emotional chaos, Priyanka and Nick were faced with another unexpected challenge — media pressure.
Because of leaks, the couple received a message that news outlets were about to publish the story of their daughter’s birth within hours. If they didn’t announce it themselves, the story would break without their input.
Priyanka explained that they were “kind of forced” into making a public announcement.
They had originally wanted to hold on to their own narrative. More importantly, they were not ready to share the news with the world because they didn’t yet know what would happen with their daughter’s health.
“We weren’t ready because we didn’t know what would happen with her or how she would be,” Priyanka shared.
For parents already struggling with fear and uncertainty, the pressure to go public added another layer of stress.
Three Months in the Hospital: How Priyanka and Nick Stayed Strong
After Malti’s birth, Priyanka and Nick made one decision clear — everything else could wait.
For the next three months, they paused their professional commitments and focused entirely on their daughter. They spent every day at the hospital.
It became a routine of hope, faith, and small moments of connection.
Nick would sing to Malti while playing his guitar, filling the sterile hospital room with music and comfort. Priyanka, on the other hand, brought her own source of strength.
She played spiritual mantras softly beside Malti’s crib throughout the day. On a small iPod, she had recordings of the Mahamrityunjay Mantra, Gayatri Mantra, and Om Namah Shiv mantra. The chants played continuously, creating a calm and soothing environment around their baby.
“There were a lot of people praying for her,” Priyanka said, adding that Malti was “very desired, very coveted, and treasured.” She described her daughter’s arrival as a hard-won journey — one that made every moment feel precious.
Priyanka and Nick’s Love Story
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas married in December 2018 in Rajasthan, India. Their wedding was a grand celebration that blended cultures beautifully, featuring both a traditional Christian ceremony and a Hindu wedding.
Over the years, the couple has been open about their deep respect for each other’s backgrounds and traditions. Becoming parents in 2022 added a new dimension to their relationship.
While Priyanka initially shared glimpses of Malti on social media, she has since chosen to limit her daughter’s public presence, prioritizing privacy and protection.
Priyanka Chopra’s Latest and Upcoming Projects
Even while navigating motherhood, Priyanka continues to balance a busy international career.
The Bluff
Priyanka currently stars in The Bluff, written and directed by Frank E. Flowers. The film is set against a gritty and action-packed backdrop. She plays a former pirate trying to leave behind a violent past while protecting her family.
The ensemble cast includes Karl Urban, Safia Oakley-Green, Temuera Morrison, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Zack Morris, and David Field. The film is produced by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, and Angela Russo-Otstot under their banner AGBO.
Citadel Season 2
Fans will also see Priyanka return in the second season of the web series Citadel. The action-packed spy thriller has already built a global audience, and anticipation for the new season is high.
Telugu Debut With SS Rajamouli
Priyanka is also set to make her Telugu film debut in SS Rajamouli’s upcoming project, reportedly titled Varanasi. The film stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran and is scheduled to release on April 7, 2027.
In the film, Priyanka will play the role of Mandakini, marking an exciting new chapter in her already diverse career.
A Story of Strength, Faith, and Motherhood
Priyanka Chopra’s candid conversation about her daughter’s NICU journey offers a rare glimpse into the private struggles celebrities often face behind the scenes.
Despite global fame, red carpet appearances, and blockbuster films, she and Nick experienced something deeply human — the fear of not knowing if your child will be okay.
Their story is one of resilience. It is about parents who sang, prayed, and showed up every single day during one of the hardest periods of their lives. It is about being forced into the spotlight when all you want is privacy. And above all, it is about the strength that comes from love and faith.
Today, Malti is thriving, and Priyanka speaks about that chapter not just with pain, but with gratitude.
Sometimes, the strongest stories are the ones that begin in the quietest hospital rooms.
