As someone who thrives on authenticity and hates fluff, watching Rachel Gupta’s 56‑minute tell-all was like getting a punch in the gut. It’s not just beauty and sparkle, this story hits on power, exploitation, and silence. Buckle up.
👑 From Historic Victory to Heartbreaking Retreat
October 25, 2024:
Rachel makes pageant history, becoming the first Indian Miss Grand International out of 68 contestants, held in Bangkok. A psychology undergrad and mental health advocate based in Mumbai, she was meant to channel her platform for empowerment. But from day one, the script flipped.
🗝️ Promises Broken: Living Conditions & Financial Blindsides
In her video, Rachel recounts how lavish perks, monthly stipends, premium lodging, basic amenities, never materialized . Instead:
Cramped into a small hotel room: Suitcases couldn’t even open.
Then moved to a “dilapidated” house on Bangkok’s outskirts, no cooking gear, no gym, no security pack, no car, forced to rely on takeout .
Family had to wire her money, stipend never arrived .
She describes lurking in isolation, struggling physically and mentally after the crown should have been the start of a dream.
😢 The Cruelty of Body-Shaming and Emotional Control
What kills is the horror of body shaming, Rachel says representatives pinched her, commenting, “You need to lose weight here… here” . Days on junk food, no gym? They blamed her for weight gain. But that was just surface.
Her YouTube video is raw: tears, rage, fear. “They don’t care if I live or die… as long as I keep my body super skinny” she says, accusing organizers of reducing her to a “smile‑at‑events, TikTok salesgirl” entirely for profit.
📱 Reduced to a TikTok Salespiece
Rachel reveals that instead of humanitarian work, she was forced to push cheap merchandise on TikTok, money-making stunts with zero meaning . Titles like “Miss Grand International” suddenly meant little more than a marketing tool.
🚨 Security Breach & Isolation
She also flags a security nightmare, her move to that run-down house coincided with no local contacts, no phone, minimal funds. When $1,000 went missing, there was no organizational support . She felt powerless, abandoned.
💔 They Told Her to Quit, So She Did
The breaking point came May 28, 2025, when Rachel returned her crown publicly, citing “broken promises, mistreatment, toxic environment.” The crown was to be returned within 30 days .
💬 MGI Fires Back
Miss Grand International Organization responded immediately:
Denied all claims: labeled the video as “false, misleading, defamatory,” claiming evidence (emails, lodging photos) supports their version .
Said Rachel breached contract: failed to attend Guatemala trip, did outside projects without permission, and must vacate the crown .
New queen lined up: The title passed to Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza from the Philippines, officially crowned June 3, 2025 .
🧩 Industry-Wide Ripples
Rachel’s story joins a growing pattern of pageant titleholders walking away:
Miss USA & Miss Teen USA of 2024 resigned over similar bullying allegations .
The Daily Beast and People framed it as an alarming body‑shaming and toxic culture trend that undermines pageantry’s values .
📝 Personal Reflection: From Editor’s Desk
1. Power imbalance:
Rachel signed a “one‑sided contract” that bound her but didn’t protect her .
2. Pawn in a commerce game:
A supposed queen reduced to pushing ketchup and kale chips via TikTok.
3. Mental health costs:
In her own words, “the hardest few months of my life” music to my skeptic soul.
4. Culture of silence: She didn’t drop it quietly. She broke the silence, and that matters.
📢 Why You Should Give a Damn
Human dignity: Crowns don’t shield from corporate greed.
Systemic exposure:
This isn’t a one-off scandal; it’s reflective of deeper industry toxicities.
The need for reform: Pageants tout peace and empowerment, where’s the substance?
Real voices: Rachel chose courage. Her voice gives us the right to question, to insist on better.
🔮 What’s Next?
Investigation ahead: Will pageant bodies reform contracts? Will NGOs or UN offices demand transparency?
Rachel’s next step: With ~1.4M Instagram followers , her advocacy could shift towards mental health or fair performer rights.
CJ Opiaza’s tenure: She now fills the crown, but will MGI keep its promise to her?
Rachel Gupta didn't just quit, she resigned with revelation. Amid pageantry’s perfume and poise, her truth stinks of neglect and greed. If we love pageants for their glamour, it's time we demand they prove it starts with genuine care. Otherwise, it's just a pretty face covering ugliness.
