New Delhi: Social media influencer Apoorva Mukhija, known as ‘The Rebel Kid’, dropped her first YouTube video since the ‘India’s Got Latent’ controversy erupted.
Mukhija had appeared on Samay Raina’s show with YouTuber-podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, and their remarks triggered social media outrage and multiple FIRs.
Now, in her video, the 23-year-old broke her silence and shared her side, revealing how a male contestant targeted her with a vulgar remark about her vagina in front of a live audience.
“Normally, you’d expect such comments online, where people hide behind screens with no consequences. But to hear something like that said out loud, in public, was shocking,” she said.
Mukhija clarified that her reaction wasn’t meant to be savage, funny, or a clapback moment.
“It came from a place of genuine anger,” she said.
“My intent was never to hurt anyone—except maybe that man’s ego. But I now understand that my words may have hurt others, and I never meant that. I create content to entertain, to make people laugh—not to cause pain. I should have been more mindful. I’ve learned my lesson,” she added.
Bonding with family
In her signature quirky tone, Mukhija also opened up about how the controversy derailed her life—brand deals fell through and work dried up for months. She travelled cities and later crossed the ocean on the advice of a tarot card reader to make the controversy go away.
The influencer recounted the moment she had to escape Udaipur after rumours spread that she was included in the list of ‘IIFA Ambassadors.’ Mukhija, in the video, clarified that she was never on any such list to begin with.
She got emotional talking about her parents, especially her mother, as people tracked down her Instagram and left rape threats in the comments. However, Mukhija said the ordeal brought her closer to her family.
She recalled ignoring her father’s call, fearing a scolding—only to hear him say, “Don’t worry; I am on your side,” as she fought back tears and swallowed a lump in her throat.
She also gave a shoutout to her friends who stood by her all along and helped her come out of it stronger.
To her fans, Mukhija promised to grow from the experience.
“I just hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me. I’m truly sorry if I hurt your sentiments,” she said.
Mukhija’s apology was well received by social media users, who went all out in expressing their love in the comment section.
While many extended hugs and love to the influencer, others celebrated her comeback.
“I just bawled my eyes out watching this…You’re a strong girl apoorva always supported you and will always do. You deserve the best and wishing you only happiness, health and wealth,” a user wrote.
“You were not at all wrong!!! We are by your side”, “We love you”, “Go girl”, “We are proud of you” – others commented under the video.
An individual wrote: “Imagine she said something to a man and all other men stoop so low and said those things. She has gone through enough hardships please leave her. Now is her time and it’s over when she says it is…Luv yaaa.”
Also read: Influencer Apoorva Mukhija returns to Instagram with post on death, rape threats she faced
Revisiting past
In the same video, she also revisited painful memories—being slut-shamed both online and by her relatives, crying through sleepless nights, self-harming, and being hit by someone she once trusted to love and protect her. She ended the video on a poetic note.
“I have been talked about, conspired against, punished for things I never did—and I thought that it was over. I’ve been the laughing stock, the punching bag, and the girl that they would rape, kill, and throw acid on if they saw her alive—and I really thought that it was over. But it’s not over—till I say it is,” she concluded.
Mukhija added that the money earned from this video will go to an NGO that helps acid attack, rape and domestic violence victims.
A day ago, Mukhija made her Instagram comeback, a week after deleting all posts, with screenshots of the online abuse she faced ever since the India’s Got Latent controversy started.
The 19 screenshots had hundreds of rape and death threat.
“That’s not even 1%,” Mukhija captioned the post.
(Edited by Prashant)
Ms. Triya Gulati always finds a way to degrade journalism by defending the indefensible.
Influencers like Ms. Makhija are a blot on our society. These good for nothing idiots hover on our consciousness thanks to the free platform provided by social media outlets.
This breed of “influencers” are a disgusting lot. Their cringe worthy acts and buffoonery makes people squirm in disgust. Yet here they are – all thanks to the multitude of free platforms which enable and embolden them to indulge in such stupidity and get away with it.