Rachel Gupta, the first Indian to win Miss Grand International 2024, has made headlines again—but not for good reasons.
On May 28, 2025, she announced on Instagram that she was stepping down from the title. Her reason? A toxic environment, broken promises, and mistreatment by the organizers.
Why Did Rachel Resign?
Rachel said her experience after winning was full of stress and unkept promises. She claims:
- The pageant didn’t honor commitments made to her.
- She faced emotional mistreatment.
- The work environment was toxic and not professional.
She promised to share her full experience in a video soon.
What Did the Organizers Say?
The Miss Grand International (MGI) team had a different story. They said Rachel didn’t step down—she was fired. Here’s why:
- She skipped important events like a trip to Guatemala.
- She joined other projects without permission.
- She didn’t complete her assigned duties.
They’ve asked her to return the crown in 30 days.
More People Are Speaking Out
This isn’t the first issue with MGI. Nikhil Anand, an Indian pageant leader, said last year that MGI has no respect for its contestants and only cares about money. Many national directors have even cut ties with them.
What’s Next?
Rachel is expected to release a full video sharing her side. Meanwhile, MGI has not yet named a new winner for 2024.
This case has opened up a big conversation about how beauty pageants treat their winners. People are asking for more transparency and fair treatment.
