Beauty queen dramatically steps down as Miss Grand International after citing 'toxic environment'
A beauty queen has dramatically stepped down as Miss Grand International after just eight months - citing a 'toxic environment.'
Rachel Gupta, an Indian model and actress, who made history as the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International title in October 2024, has handed back her crown.
The 21-year-old claimed she endured a toxic environment, body shaming, and unfulfilled promises by the pageant's organizers.
In a 56-minute YouTube video called 'The Truth About Miss Grand International – My Story,' the model broke down in tears as she shared her experience of her short reign.
She said she was subjected to demeaning comments about her body, including an incident where a representative allegedly pinched her and told her to ' lose weight here and here.'
Rachel described it as 'so embarrassing' and said it made her feel 'so small and so bad.'
'I realized they would never, never support me, and I was completely on my own,' she said.
Gupta also alleged that she was made to live in substandard conditions - first in a cramped hotel room and later in a dilapidated house in Bangkok without basic amenities.
She claimed that the organization failed to provide the promised financial and logistical support, forcing her parents to assist her financially.
The former Miss Grand International also accused the pageant of exploiting her by making her sell products on TikTok.
'They made us sell these cheap, tacky products on TikTok like we were salesgirls,' she revealed.
In response to her video, the Miss Grand International organization dismissed Gupta's claims as 'false, misleading, and defamatory,' in an Instagram post.
The organization accused her of relying on 'emotional appeals and tearful storytelling without any physical evidence to support her claims.'
It also released statements and evidence, including photos of her accommodations and email correspondence, to counter her allegations.
The organization officially terminated her title, citing her failure to fulfill her duties and accusing her of seeking inappropriate favors, such as free cosmetic surgery for relatives.
Rachel warned future contestants of systemic problems within the pageant, stating, 'I don't think they can ever change this.'
Christine Juliane Opiaza from the Philippines is set to be crowned as Gupta's replacement on June 3.
DailyMail.com has reached out to both parties for further comment.
Rachel's resignation follows a similar exit by England's Miss World contestant Milla Magee.
Milla, 24, had initially blamed her abrupt departure from the pageant in Hyderabad, India, on 'personal reasons.'
But now the truth behind her exit has been revealed – and it paints a disturbing picture of a pageant she claims is 'outdated' and 'stuck in the past.'
The history-making beauty – the first Miss England in the competition's 74-year history to resign – said she had gone in with hopes of making a difference.
'I went there to make a difference but we had to sit like performing monkeys,' she told The Sun, accusing organizers of turning her into little more than eye candy for wealthy male sponsors.
Milla revealed contestants were ordered to doll up in heavy make-up and evening gowns from morning to night – even at breakfast – and were paraded at events purely to charm deep-pocketed backers.
She said the experience made her feel 'like a prostitute' who was being 'farmed out for entertainment.'
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