Rachel Gupta Steps Down from Miss Grand International: Exposes Disturbing Truth Behind the Crown

Rachel Gupta, the young and inspiring beauty queen from Jalandhar, Punjab, who made India proud by winning the Miss Grand International 2024 title, has officially stepped down from her crown. What initially seemed like a fairy-tale victory has now unfolded into a heartbreaking exposé of what she calls the “dark side” of the prestigious beauty pageant.

In a deeply emotional and raw 56-minute video posted on social media, Rachel opened up about the distressing experiences she faced during her reign. While the Miss Grand International Organisation issued a statement claiming her title was terminated, Rachel insists that it was her own decision to resign, stating, “I chose to give up my title and to resign.”

Rachel revealed that the last time she was truly happy was the day she won the crown in November 2024. “Since then, it’s been going downhill,” she said tearfully. Her revelations paint a stark contrast to the glamorous image projected by beauty pageants.

From being moved into a cramped hotel room to later being housed in a “dilapidated house” far from the city, Rachel recounted her struggle for basic living conditions. She claimed she was denied access to a car, gym, mobile phone, and even essentials like fruits or cookware. “I requested multiple times, please can we make sure there’s food?” she said, explaining how her pleas for necessities were routinely ignored.

Rachel also accused the organisation of body shaming and constant harassment. “They were hounding me, constantly just talking about my weight and my body all the time,” she said, recalling a painful moment when a representative physically pinched her body to point out areas she needed to lose weight.

Financially, the situation was equally dismal. Rachel said she was paid her monthly stipend only for November and received no further financial support from the organisation. She recounted a disturbing incident where $1,000 went missing from her suitcase while she was away for an official event. When she reported it, the response was dismissive. “We can’t prove that you have the money so there’s nothing we can do,” she was told.

Rachel’s video also exposed unethical practices within the pageant, including the buying of votes under the guise of “donations.” “We couldn’t afford to pay for votes,” she admitted, crediting her win solely to public support. She described how the organisation pushed her into selling products via TikTok Lives—actions she called “guilty and misleading to fans.”

Her efforts to advocate for social issues were reportedly dismissed by the leadership. “They used this ‘Stop the war and violence’ tagline, but it’s all fake. It’s a facade,” Rachel said. She revealed that her contract was non-negotiable and presented in a way that left her feeling helpless. “It was their pen, their paper, their rules. You just sign it or leave,” she explained.

Rachel also claimed that threats of dethronement were used to control her, even two months into her reign. “They used it as blackmail, to manipulate me,” she said, calling out the leadership for being “cold-hearted businesspeople” who cared more about profit and appearance than their queens’ well-being.

Her decision to resign, Rachel said, was a powerful move to reclaim her dignity and voice. “This decision did not come from a place of pain. It came from a place of strength. I feel free for the first time in months.”

She ended her video with a heartfelt message to aspiring contestants: “Even if you win, you’ll be completely on your own. The Miss Grand International Organisation does not care about its queens. All it wants is to use them until they are no longer useful.”

Rachel Gupta’s courageous stand has shed light on the toxic realities behind the glamorous curtain of international pageantry. Her story serves as both a wake-up call for the industry and an empowering reminder of what it means to choose self-respect over fame.