Influencer Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, broke down in a recent interview while sharing the painful aftermath of her involvement in the India’s Got Latent controversy. Speaking with Yuvaa, she revealed the immense emotional damage that extended beyond her to her family, especially her parents who were dragged into the storm of online hate.“My mom’s account was public. My mom got a lot of ‘R’ words and rape threats and slut shaming,” Apoorva said tearfully, adding that trolls tracked down her mother’s Instagram and began sending her horrific abuse.
Apoorva’s appearance on Samay Raina’s popular YouTube talent show India’s Got Latent led to backlash after a heated exchange with another contestant. While the incident initially drew criticism for her remarks, it soon spiraled into a vicious online campaign, leading her to wipe her Instagram and face financial setbacks.
Describing how deeply it affected her father, Apoorva shared,“My dad always said, ‘samaj mein izzat rehni chahiye (we should be respected by society).’ And in a second, I felt like he lost all of that. Everything he was scared of came true… but they didn’t complain even once.”
Despite a strained past, she said the experience reshaped her relationship with her father.“I was all over the news and didn’t have the guts to tell my parents. My dad just texted me one message. He said: ‘No matter whatever happens, I am always standing with you.’ And suddenly, everything from the past didn’t matter.”
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She also reflected on her childhood and the root of her rebellious nature.“I started abusing because my dad said ‘girls can’t abuse.’ He never said ‘nobody can abuse.’” Apoorva said societal restrictions and parental rules made her question norms and go against the grain.
Apoorva clarified there were misconceptions about her relationship with her father. Though they had differences, she recognized that both perspectives were shaped by different expectations.“For him, I was always the child who disrespected him. For me, he was always the villain arc.”
This candid interview has struck a chord with many, opening up difficult but necessary conversations about cyberbullying, online harassment, and the unseen toll of internet controversies on the families of public figures.
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