Priyanka Chopra apologises after The Activist backlash – “The show got it wrong, and I'm sorry that my participation in it disappointed many of you”

After receiving widespread backlash, American network CBS announced the change in format of the show The Activist. It has now gone from a competitive show to becoming a one-time documentary. Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas, American singer-songwriter Usher, and Dancing with the Stars star Julianne Hough were cast as judges in the reality show, which was announced last week and set for premiere on October 22. Following the immense backlash, Priyanka has taken to social media to apologise.

“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,” Priyanka Chopra Jonas wrote in a statement on social media on September 16. “You were heard.” “The show got it wrong, and I'm sorry that my participation in it disappointed many of you,” she continued. “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. I'm happy to know that in this new format, their stories will be the highlight, and I'm proud to collaborate with partners who have their ear to the ground and know when it's time to hit pause and re-evaluate.” “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,” Chopra Jonas concluded. After the show quickly drew criticism, CBS and the show's producing partners Global Citizen and Live Nation released a statement that read, “Activists and community leaders around the world 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.