Priyanka Chopra Jonasis addressing criticism of her use of a surrogate.

TheQuanticoactress, 40, coversBritish Vogue’s February issue, where shedives into her journey to motherhoodand life as a mom to daughterMalti Marie, who celebrated her first birthday earlier this week.

“I’ve developed a tough hide when people talk about me,” she toldBritish Vogue. “But it’s so painful when they talk about my daughter. I’m like, ‘Keep her out of it.'”

“I know what it felt like to hold her little hands when they were trying to find her veins,” she continued, referencing the fact that Malti was born three months premature. “So no, she’s not going to be gossip.”

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Zoë Ghertner

Priyanka Chopra British Vogue

“I’ve been really protective of this chapter of my life with my daughter. Because it’s not about my life only. It’s hers too.”

Chopra Jonas went on to confirm that her use of a surrogate was medically necessary.

Priyanka Chopra British Vogue

“I had medical complications,” she explained. “This was a necessary step, and I’m so grateful I was in a position where I could do this. Our surrogate was so generous, kind, lovely and funny, and she took care of this precious gift for us for six months.”

Noting that critics are unlikely to change their minds about her, Chopra Jonas leveled, “You don’t know me.”

priyanka chopra/instagram

priyanka chopra, nick jonas

“You don’t know what I’ve been through,” she continued. “And just because I don’t want to make my medical history, or my daughter’s, public doesn’t give you the right to make up whatever the reasons were.”

Earlier this month, Jonas opened up about celebrating Malti’s first birthday duringan appearanceonTheKelly ClarksonShow.

“We had to celebrate,” Jonas told hostKelly Clarkson. “She went through a pretty wild journey in the early part of her life, so we had to celebrate in style. She’s one. She’s beautiful. It’s amazing — the best.”

source: people.com