An Australian entertainment reporter has been forced to set his Twitter account to private after being savaged by Priyanka Chopra’s 27 million followers.
The Morning Show contributor Peter Ford questioned on Tuesday whether the Indian actress, 38, and her pop star husband Nick Jonas, 28, were qualified for their recent role announcing Academy Award nominees.
The Baywatch star retweeted Ford, and noted her extensive list of film credits.
Powerful foe: An Australian entertainment reporter has been forced to set his Twitter account to private after being savaged by Priyanka Chopra’s 27 million followers. Priyanka (left) is seen here with husband Nick Jonas (right) on Tuesday
The altercation began when Ford tweeted a promotional photo of Chopra and Jonas with an Oscars statue ahead of their official role.
He wrote: ‘No disrespect to these two but I’m not sure their contribution to the movies qualifies them to be announcing Oscar nominees.’
A day later, Priyanka responded: ‘Would love your thoughts on what qualifies someone. Here are my 60+ film credentials for your adept consideration.’
Chopra’s IMDb page lists 78 projects in which she’s performed as an actress, including TV shows, music videos and a videogame.
Mistake: Peter Ford questioned on Tuesday whether the actress, 38, and her pop star husband Nick Jonas, 28, were qualified for their recent role announcing Academy Award nominees
Response: The Baywatch star retweeted Ford, and noted her extensive list of film credits
Ducking for cover: Ford (pictured) subsequently ‘protected’ his tweets, meaning only approved users can view his account
The Bollywood star’s 27.1 million Twitter followers quickly descended on Ford, attacking the veteran reporter.
Stranger Things star Michael Park wrote, ‘Just so happens, I know a doctor that can remove that foot from your mouth. Her name’s Madhu.’
Dr Madhu Chopra is the actress’ mother.
Under attack: The Bollywood star’s 27.1 million Twitter followers quickly descended on Ford, attacking the veteran reporter
‘Who’s this guy from down under claiming to be “most well known entertainment reporter from Aus and NZ??”‘ asked one of Chopra’s defenders.
Another wrote: ‘Never start a sentence with ” no disrespect” and still disrespect somebody. PC nor Nick owe u any explanation.’
‘Ignore Ford. He has three-minute segment on morning TV that no one watches,’ tweeted another.
Savage: One Twitter user was ruthless in their assessment of Ford’s own credentials
Accomplished: Chopra’s IMDb page lists 78 projects in which she’s performed as an actress, including TV shows, music videos and a videogame
Veteran: Beginning her career in her native India, Chopra made her movie debut in the 2002 film Thamizhan after winning the Miss World pageant in 2000. Seen here in the 2020 Netflix film We Can Be Heroes
However, some people leaped to Ford’s defence.
‘While I love your response as it shows you’re more than qualified, what I don’t love is the way some of your fans are sending vile messages of hate to someone who dared to have an opinion that wasn’t favourable to you,’ one Twitter user replied to Priyanka’s tweet.
Ford subsequently ‘protected’ his tweets, meaning only approved users can view his account.
‘Suddenly you have 27 million people tweeting you about what a horrible person you are,’ the journalist told 6PR Breakfast host Gareth Parker of the online skirmish.
Ford’s 25-plus year career in entertainment journalism includes stints on top Australian talk stations such as 3AW, 2GB, 6PR & 5AA.
He is also a regular talking head on Channel Seven’s Sunrise and The Morning Show.
Not so fast: Some people leaped to Ford’s defence, saying it was unfair for Priyanka to direct her fans to abuse him
Experience: Ford’s 25-plus year career in entertainment journalism includes stints on top Australian talk stations such as 3AW, 2GB, 6PR and 5AA
Also on Chopra’s extensive film résumé are a number of upcoming projects, including the high profile Matrix 4.
She has additionally served as a producer on 13 projects.
Beginning her career in her native India, Chopra made her movie debut in the 2002 film Thamizhan after winning the Miss World pageant in 2000.
Coincidentally, Jonas’ IMDb also lists 78 projects as an ‘actor’ – although many of those were music videos in which he performed with The Jonas Brothers.
However he has also acted in a number of films, including the recently released Chaos Walking and both of new Jumanji films.
On Tuesday, the high-profile couple announced the nominees for the forthcoming 93rd Academy Awards in a 21-minute streamed presentation.
Priyanka and Nick married in 2018 in a series of lavish ceremonies taking place in both India and the United States.
Excited: On Tuesday, the high-profile couple announced the nominees for the forthcoming 93rd Academy Awards in a 21-minute streamed presentation