Mumbai, September 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Social media influencer Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as Rebel Kid, has rejected speculation that she secured admission to New York University (NYU) by making a donation, saying her academic record and professional experience helped her earn a place at the university.
Apoorva, who recently moved to New York for her studies, addressed the speculation in a recent YouTube video. She said she had consistently been a good student and highlighted her experience of working with leading brands as well as her career as a content creator.
Responding to the claims, she said, “Are you all mad? Firstly, I don’t have so much money to donate, and the fees here are so much that it feels like donation.”
Apoorva said her academic record was particularly strong from a business-school perspective and pointed to her professional achievements as another factor in her admission.
“From a B-school point of view, I have been exceptional in all my academics. I have crazy work experience. I have worked with all of the top brands in the country,” she said.
She also cited her work in reality television and acting, along with the growth of her social media platforms. According to her, she has built Instagram and YouTube audiences of 4.8 million and 1.8 million subscribers, respectively, and has been running the business for around five years with employees and a team.
She also highlighted her communication and interview skills, saying these abilities had contributed to her professional success.
“So no, I am not here after giving donations,” she said.
Apoorva said studying abroad had been a lifelong ambition and that she had always wanted to pursue education outside India.
She also addressed her decision to relocate to New York at a time when her career in India was gaining momentum. According to Apoorva, people advised her against the move and described it as “career suicide”. She said she had been mentally disturbed following the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent, which influenced her decision.
The controversy erupted in February 2025 after content creator and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia faced widespread backlash over remarks concerning parents and sex on comedian Samay Raina’s show India’s Got Latent. Apoorva was among the panel members on the episode and subsequently faced multiple FIRs, as well as rape and death threats.
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