Another day, another revelation of how disturbing and creepy beauty pageants are. This time, Rachel Gupta, who achieved fame after becoming the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International title in 2024, has come forward with various concerning anecdotes during her time as the winner and the kind of treatment she saw from MGI.
The reveal made in a YouTube video came soon after Gupta resigned from the position of MGI, barely seven months into her reign.
What Did Rachel Gupta Reveal?
On May 28, 2025, Rachel Gupta posted on Instagram about her resignation from the title of Miss Grand International 2024.
She wrote, “It is with deep regret that I share this news: I have made the decision to step down as Miss Grand International 2024 and return my crown. Being crowned was one of the most cherished dreams of my life, and I was filled with hope and pride to represent my country and make history. However, the months following my crowning have been marked by broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment I can no longer endure in silence. This decision was not made lightly. In the coming days, I will be releasing a full video sharing the details behind this difficult journey. I ask for your compassion, your open hearts, and your continued support as I take this next step.”
She did just that, as on May 29, 2025, Gupta posted a 56-minute video on her official YouTube page with the caption “It’s taken a lot of courage to speak so openly and honestly, but I truly hope this helps girls who share the dream I once had. While my story may polarize you, I urge you to keep the focus on the issues that matter. I have screenshots and receipts for everything, but am not willing to stoop to that level. People who believe me will do so regardless of proof. It is not easy to give back what you fought so hard to achieve but my decision to step down is based on integrity and self-respect. Thank you for listening to me and supporting me.”
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In her video, Gupta shared the disturbing account of her time as the MGI, and allegations against the pageant’s organisers, claiming that “Frankly, they don’t care if I live or die. As long as I’m there to smile at their events, as long as I keep my body super skinny, the way they like, they don’t care if I live or die.”
The 21-year-old talked about how “The whole time that I was working with Miss Grand International, the last seven months, I was constantly harassed, manipulated, ignored and left to fend for myself,” adding that “These have been the hardest few months of my life.”
She further discussed how the organisers prioritised making money, making her feel like a salesgirl, and without any means to refuse.
Gupta said, “They just want me to be there, to go on TikTok Live and make money for them and show up at their events. That’s it, that’s all they want from me… I realised they would never, never support me, and I was completely on my own… they made us sell.
You guys know they made us sell these cheap, tacky products on TikTok like we were salesgirls.
You’ve crowned queens, girls who have careers in our country, we do things, we’re well respected, and they’re making us sell cheap products on TikTok because it makes them money and you can’t say no.”
She mentioned that she was forced to sign a “one-sided” contract in what felt like a “gun to the head” situation, binding her to the organisation and all its demands without knowing them properly.
She also talked about how while the organisers expected her to fulfill her deal, they did not do the same, including not providing her a monthly stipend, penthouse accommodation, or even “basic amenities.”
She said, “Immediately after winning, they moved me into a cramped hotel room, where all my suitcases couldn’t open properly because there wasn’t enough space,” and that “Then, they shifted me to a dilapidated house which was way on the outside of the city. I had no car. They didn’t give me anyway of getting around.”
“I was stuck in the house until they decided that they needed me for something.”
Rachel also recounted an incident where she was body shamed and physically humiliated, touched without consent. She said, “I remember one time, they sent their representative to me and he just comes up to me and he starts pinching me in different places and he’s like ‘Oh you need to lose weight here, you need to lose weight here’.
What am I supposed to say to that? It’s so embarrassing. It makes you feel so small and so bad. I understand, obviously I have to stay fit for the job I have, and have to stay in shape, but it’s so difficult when you don’t have access to anything and you’re just locked in a house, basically all day long.”
Gupta further spoke about how she wasn’t provided proper and nutritious food, cooking supplies, and there was also no arrangement for a gym or access to workout equipment. She had to buy a Thai mobile phone on her own and would survive on takeout.
Of course, the MGI organisers are singing a different tune, claiming that her title was revoked due to “her failure to fulfill her assigned duties, engagement in external projects without prior approval from the organization, and her refusal to participate in the scheduled trip to Guatemala.”
Posting an Instagram post, announcing the termination of her title, the organisers also stated that “the crown be returned to the MGI Head Office within 30 days from the date of this notice.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, Business Standard
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Rachel Gupta, Miss Grand International, Rachel Gupta new, Rachel Gupta miss grand international, Rachel Gupta controversy, Rachel Gupta what happened, Rachel Gupta resigned, beauty pageants, beauty pageants are archaic, beauty pageants negative effects, the problem with beauty pageants
Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to or copyright any of the images used; these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly email us.
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