Latest news with #MissUniverse2000
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Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Rachel Gupta: Resigned or terminated? Miss Grand Int'l 2024 row deepens
In a dramatic twist shaking the global pageant circuit, Rachel Gupta – the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International (MGI) title – has stepped down just months after her historic win. The 21-year-old model and beauty queen took to Instagram on Wednesday, citing a "toxic environment" and broken promises as reasons for her resignation. Reasons behind her resignation The 21-year-old said she faced a toxic environment and broken promises during her time with the pageant organisation. Rachel described her decision to step down as 'difficult but necessary' for her mental and emotional well-being. Rachel's emotional message The 21-year-old said being crowned was one of her biggest dreams, but the months that followed were filled with mistreatment and disappointment. "I can no longer endure in silence," she wrote. She also apologised to her fans and promised to tell her full story soon through a video. 'The truth will come out very soon,' she added. Also Read What did the MGI organisation claim? While Rachel says she resigned, the Miss Grand International (MGI) Organisation claims she was terminated. In an official statement, MGI accused her of: Not fulfilling her duties Taking part in unauthorised outside work Refusing to join an official trip to Guatemala The organisation said her title was removed effective immediately and asked her to return the crown within 30 days. In the official statement, the MGI wrote, 'The Miss Grand International Organisation hereby announces the termination of Miss Rachel Gupta's title as Miss Grand International 2024, effective immediately." Rachel won MIG crown last year Rachel Gupta made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International crown on October 25, 2024. She also won the Grand Pageants Choice Award, placing her alongside legendary Indian beauty queens like Lara Dutta, Miss Universe 2000.
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Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Rachel Gupta resigned or terminated? MIG 2024 organisers break silence
Rachel Gupta, the first Indian to be crowned Miss Grand International in 2024, has stepped down citing a toxic culture - but the organisers now claim she was officially terminated Sudeep Singh Rawat New Delhi In a dramatic twist shaking the global pageant circuit, Rachel Gupta – the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International (MGI) title – has stepped down just months after her historic win. The 21-year-old model and beauty queen took to Instagram on Wednesday, citing a "toxic environment" and broken promises as reasons for her resignation. Reasons behind her resignation The 21-year-old said she faced a toxic environment and broken promises during her time with the pageant organisation. Rachel described her decision to step down as 'difficult but necessary' for her mental and emotional well-being. Rachel's emotional message The 21-year-old said being crowned was one of her biggest dreams, but the months that followed were filled with mistreatment and disappointment. "I can no longer endure in silence," she wrote. She also apologised to her fans and promised to tell her full story soon through a video. 'The truth will come out very soon,' she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rachel Gupta (@_rachelgupta) What did the MGI organisation claim? While Rachel says she resigned, the Miss Grand International (MGI) Organisation claims she was terminated. In an official statement, MGI accused her of: Not fulfilling her duties Taking part in unauthorised outside work Refusing to join an official trip to Guatemala The organisation said her title was removed effective immediately and asked her to return the crown within 30 days. In the official statement, the MGI wrote, 'The Miss Grand International Organisation hereby announces the termination of Miss Rachel Gupta's title as Miss Grand International 2024, effective immediately." Rachel won MIG crown last year Rachel Gupta made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International crown on October 25, 2024. She also won the Grand Pageants Choice Award, placing her alongside legendary Indian beauty queens like Lara Dutta, Miss Universe 2000.
India Today
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Rachel Gupta resigns as Miss Grand International 2024. Organisers say no, terminated
Model Rachel Gupta announced on social media on Wednesday that she has resigned from her Miss Grand International 2024 title. However, a controversy ensued after the organisers claimed she had been officially a post on Instagram, Gupta, 21, claimed she had been subjected to a toxic environment and repeated unkept promises. According to her, the decision to step down was difficult but crowned was one of the most cherished dreams of my life, but the months following my crowning have been marked by broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment I can no longer endure in silence,' she wrote. Gupta said she would share her full side of the story in a video soon, adding in her caption: 'The truth will come out very soon.''To all my supporters around the world: I'm truly sorry if this news has disappointed you. Please know this wasn't an easy decision, but it was the right one for me,' she a look at the post here: advertisement While Gupta pointed to a toxic environment, the Miss Grand International (MGI) Organisation painted a different a statement posted on social media, MGI confirmed that Gupta had been officially terminated from her organisation accused Gupta of failing to honour her duties, pursuing unauthorised external projects, and refusing to attend an official trip to Guatemala.'The Miss Grand International Organisation hereby announces the termination of Miss Rachel Gupta's title as Miss Grand International 2024, effective immediately,' the statement reads. They also asked that she return the crown to the MGI Head Office within 30 a look at the post here:Rachel Gupta was crowned Miss Grand International 2024 on October 25 last year. She became the first Indian to clinch the title. The historic win also earned her the Grand Pageants Choice Award, placing her alongside Miss Universe 2000, Lara Dutta, as one of the most decorated Indian beauty queens on the global stage.
News18
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
DYK This Actress Almost Drowned During Her Debut Film Shoot With Akshay Kumar
Last Updated: Lara Dutta is geared up for the release of director Ahmed Khan's Welcome to the Jungle. Remember the 2003 film Andaaz? Headlined by Akshay Kumar, the romantic musical became a hit upon its release. The credit goes to the emotionally resonant storyline, foot-tapping songs and the superb performances. Akshay Kumar's signature charm worked like magic, making the Raj Kanwar directorial etched fondly in our memories. While Priyanka Chopra played the female lead in Andaaz, another actress made her debut with the film. She is none other than the winner of Miss Universe 2000 — Lara Dutta. Lara Dutta came from a non-film background. His father, retired Wing Commander LK Dutta, was the personal pilot of India's former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Interestingly, Lara also played the role of Indira Gandhi in the 2021 film Bell Bottom. During one of the interviews back then, Lara revealed that she took insights from her father. Before entering the world of glitz and glam, Lara Dutta participated in several pageant competitions. However, her most significant achievement came after bagging the coveted Miss Universe crown. Just three years later, she made her foray into Bollywood with Andaaz. Audiences loved Lara's tomboyish character Kajal. But do you know, she almost drowned while shooting for the film? According to a report by The Times of India, the incident happened while Lara Dutta was filming the song sequence — Rabba Ishq Na Hove in Cape Town. A powerful wave struck a rock during the high tide, which caught Lara off guard. She lost her balance and fell into the water. Since the actress did not know how to swim, she was being swept away by the current. That's when Akshay Kumar came to her rescue. He jumped into the water and saved her life. Lara Dutta has been a part of some commercially successful films like Masti (2004), No Entry (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Partner (2007), Billu Barber (2009) and Housefull (2010) to name a few. At present, she is geared up for the release of director Ahmed Khan's Welcome to the Jungle. The film also stars Akshay Kumar, Jacqueliene Fernandez, Sanjay Dutt, Disha Patani, Randeep Hooda, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal in key roles. On the personal front, Lara Dutta married Indian tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi in 2011. The couple welcomed their daughter, Saira, in 2012. First Published:
Pink Villa
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Meet actor born into non-film family, almost drowned during debut with Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and is set to feature in upcoming epic Bollywood film
This Bollywood actress started her career by winning the Miss Universe 2000 pageant. Soon after, she was showered with multiple projects in the Indian film industry. Three years later, the diva made her acting debut in Andaaz alongside Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. If you haven't guessed it yet, we're talking about B-town stars, Lara Dutta! Born in a non-film family with her father working for the Indian Air Force, Lara Dutta traveled a lot. She finally settled in Bengaluru and graduated from a prestigious educational institute. After participating and winning multiple beauty pageants, she finally brought home the coveted Miss Universe crown. Then in 2003, she debuted in Bollywood with the commercially successful movie, Andaaz, by playing a tomboy Kajal opposite Akshay Kumar. But while she was filming for the shoot, the actress almost drowned. According to reports, Kumar and Dutta were filming the song, Rabba Ishq Na Howe in Cape Town, South Africa. While shooting a sequence on top of a rock during high tide, a massive wave hit the rock and the Don 2 actress lost her balance. She slipped and was swept away by the waves. Since she didn't know how to swim at that time, her co-star, Akshay, thankfully rescued her. Talking about Lara Dutta's work front, the actress has been part of commercially successful films like Masti, No Entry, Bhagam Bhag, Partner, Billu Barber, Housefull, Don 2, to name a few. While her career was skyrocketing, she met with Indian tennis player, Mahesh Bhupathi and the couple got engaged in 2010. A year later, they got married on February 16, 2011, in a civil ceremony in Mumbai followed by a dreamy Christian ceremony in Goa. The following year, in 2012, the celebs were blessed with a daughter named Saira Bhupathi. Currently, she is awaiting the release of her movie, Welcome to the Jungle, co-starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi, Raveena Tandon, Jacqueline Fernandez, and many others. Lara will also be playing the part of Princess Kaikeyi in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana.
