After weeks of silence and emotional turmoil, influencer Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, has returned to Instagram with a heartfelt and raw video addressing the backlash she faced following the India’s Got Latent controversy. In her first Instagram live session since the incident, she opened up about the intense online hate, including threats of acid attacks, rape, and death, that forced her to take a break from social media.
Fighting back tears, Apoorva acknowledged the gravity of the moment and apologised for her controversial comments made on comedian Samay Raina’s show, which had sparked online outrage. She clarified that her response wasn’t meant to be a joke or a “savage” comeback but rather came from a place of anger.
“When I responded on Latent, it didn’t come from a place of trying to be funny, savage, or create a moment. It came from genuine anger and the need to retaliate. My intention was never to hurt anyone—except perhaps that man’s ego. But regardless of my intent, I now realise that my words may have hurt others, and that is something I never meant to do,” she said, owning up to her actions.
She further added, “I should have been more mindful, and I truly have learned my lesson. I promise to be better going forward. I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I'm sincerely sorry if I’ve hurt your sentiments.”
But the video wasn’t just about the present—it was a window into Apoorva’s painful past. She opened up about years of trauma, rejection, and abuse, offering followers a deeper look into her resilience. She shared that for 17 years, she lived in a house that “never felt like home,” where she cried herself to sleep, self-harmed, and constantly felt like giving up.
She recounted falling in love with a man who ultimately hit her and spoke about being slut-shamed by relatives before she even understood the term. “I have been the laughingstock, punching bag and that girl who could be raped and then thrown acid on if they saw her alive—and I really thought it was over,” she said.
“But it isn’t,” she concluded, showing courage and determination to move forward.
The controversy that led to this spiral stemmed from an extremely inappropriate question asked by YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia in a segment of India’s Got Latent: “Would you rather watch your parents have sex for the rest of your life, or would you join in once and stop it forever?” The clip went viral, triggering backlash for its vulgarity and offensive tone. Apoorva’s reaction to the question, which involved a pointed comment directed at Allahbadia, drew mixed responses—some applauded her, others condemned her for crossing a line.
In the fallout, Apoorva deleted all her Instagram posts on April 1, leading many to speculate about her mental health and well-being.
Despite the storm, Apoorva is continuing with her career. She was seen in the 2023 show Who’s Your Gynac? and also appeared alongside Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor in Nadaaniyan. Her video marks not just a social media comeback, but a personal one too — as someone choosing to speak up, reflect, and rise above the hate.
