Rachel Gupta, India’s first Miss Grand International winner, has made headlines after stepping down from her crown and sharing the heartbreaking reasons behind her decision. In a raw, emotional 56-minute video, Rachel laid bare the painful journey she endured during her reign—one that turned a dream come true into what she called “the worst few months of my life.”

Rachel began the video by addressing what many of her fans already suspected—that something wasn’t quite right. “A lot of you knew,” she said through tears. “You could tell my reign wasn't going well. There were issues—deep issues—with the organization.”

From Glamour to Grief: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes

Rachel’s intention in opening up wasn’t just to share her truth—it was also a warning for other young women. “I want girls who dream of winning to understand what they’re signing up for,” she said. “This journey broke me.”

She described a toxic environment filled with mistreatment, lack of support, and emotional turmoil. “I gave everything to win that crown. What I got in return was harassment, mental torture, and a complete lack of respect.” Rachel explained that the issues weren’t isolated; they were systemic, deeply embedded within the organization’s culture.

Allegations of Rigged Voting and Lack of Basic Support

One of the biggest bombshells Rachel dropped was about the voting system. According to her, countries “paid for votes” disguised as donations. “We couldn’t afford to pay,” she said. “That made it so hard to compete.” She credited her win solely to the genuine support of the public.

After her victory, Rachel expected a whirlwind of glamour and responsibility. Instead, she was moved into a cramped hotel room where she couldn’t even open her suitcases. Soon after, she was relocated to a rundown house far from the city with no car, no phone, no kitchen equipment, and no proper access to food. “Even when I begged for fruit, they couldn’t do that much,” she said.

Despite being their reigning queen, she said the organization never ensured she had access to basic needs. “They should have taken care of me. But I was left to fend for myself.”

Toxic Beauty Standards and Body Shaming

The emotional toll didn’t stop at logistics. Rachel spoke of frequent body-shaming from the organization’s representatives. “They were obsessed with my weight,” she said. One moment that especially traumatized her was when a representative pinched her body in different areas and pointed out where she needed to lose fat. “I was humiliated. I felt so small.”

Requests for gym access or even a simple yoga mat were ignored. “I had no means to work out, and yet I was constantly judged for my body. How was that fair?”

Emotional Isolation and Financial Struggles

Rachel shared that she often sat alone for days without communication or events. “People asked why I wasn’t posting. The truth is—what was there to post? I was depressed, stuck in a house, with no one around.”

Financially, she was left in the dark too. Although the contract promised a monthly stipend and prize money post-reign, Rachel said she was only paid for the first month—November 2024. After that, nothing.

What’s worse, she lost $1,000 from her suitcase while away on a work trip. When she reported it, the organization dismissed her. “They told me they couldn’t prove it, so there was nothing they could do.” Rachel added that when she brought it up with a senior official, she was blamed for not locking her suitcase.

Being Used for Profit—Not Purpose

Rachel’s biggest disappointment stemmed from how the organization exploited her. She wanted to use her platform to speak on meaningful issues. Instead, she was asked to go on TikTok Live to sell products. “They wanted me to sell chili sauce—seriously. I felt guilty misleading fans like that.”

Despite the organization’s motto—Stop the War and Violence—Rachel said there was no real advocacy behind it. “It was all fake. Just a façade. I wanted to bring real change, but they didn’t care.”

She recalled one instance where she brought up her concerns to the leadership, only to be told, “That stuff doesn’t make money. No one cares.” Rachel emphasized that pageantry should be about more than just appearances. “It’s not just entertainment. A queen should use her voice for good—not just for brand deals and staged events.”

Manipulation, Threats, and Final Goodbye

Rachel revealed that she and other titleholders were pressured to sign contracts without legal consultation. “They made us feel like we were lucky to be chosen. It was like, sign this, or leave.”

Two months into her reign, she was already being threatened with dethronement. “They used that threat to control me. Anytime I raised an issue, the response was—‘we’ll take your crown away.’”

Rachel described the organization’s leadership as “cold-hearted businesspeople” focused only on profits and appearances. “They don’t care about what you feel, what you say, or who you are. They care about your face, your smile, your dress. That’s it.”

Rachel’s Message to Future Contestants

In the final moments of her video, Rachel gave a powerful message to aspiring beauty queens: “If you’re thinking of joining this pageant, please go in with your eyes wide open. Even if you win, you’ll be completely on your own.”

Rachel emphasized that stepping down didn’t come from weakness. “This decision came from strength. I didn’t lose anything—I gained my freedom. I feel like I can finally breathe.”

Final Thoughts

Rachel’s story is more than just a beauty queen stepping down. It’s a wake-up call about the darker side of an industry known for its glitz and glamour. Her courage in speaking up may not bring immediate change—but it certainly shines a light on the need for reform, accountability, and respect in the world of pageantry.