A Reddit discussion involving influencer Apoorva Makhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, has reignited conversations about skin colour, beauty standards and the influence of social media personalities on young audiences.
Social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, widely recognised as The Rebel Kid, has become the subject of an online debate about colourism after a Reddit user questioned attitudes towards darker skin tones and the perception that fair skin is more attractive.
The discussion emerged from a post criticising what its author viewed as a preference for lighter complexions in influencer beauty culture. The post referenced an alleged remark by Makhija about looking dark in a video and used the comparison to raise broader questions about how skin colour continues to influence conventional ideas of beauty.
While the Reddit discussion centred on Makhija, the conversation extended beyond the influencer herself, touching on social conditioning, makeup choices, the role of public figures and the insecurities that colour-based beauty standards can create.
What Sparked the Apoorva Makhija Colourism Debate?
The discussion began with a Reddit post titled “Why People like Apoorva think that lighter skin tone is prettier than darker skin tone,” which identified Makhija, also known as The Rebel Kid, as the subject.
The user questioned why darker complexions are sometimes treated as less desirable, arguing that such attitudes can contribute to insecurity among people with naturally darker skin.
The post also referred to a purported video clip in which Makhija allegedly said, “Usmein main kali lag rahi hoon,” roughly translating to “I look dark in that one.”
The precise context and complete recording of the alleged remark have not been independently verified for this report. Without that context, it would be premature to conclude that the influencer intended to demean darker skin tones.
Importantly, the Reddit user also clarified that the criticism was not intended as a personal attack on Makhija. Instead, the post presented the issue as part of a wider pattern in which beauty preferences may unintentionally reinforce colour-based prejudices.
Why Were Lord Krishna and Maa Kali Mentioned?
One of the most striking aspects of the Reddit post was its reference to Lord Krishna and Maa Kali.
The author questioned the contradiction between revering Hindu deities traditionally depicted with dark or blue-black complexions and treating darker human skin as less attractive.
The comparison was intended to highlight how cultural attitudes towards complexion can differ from religious symbolism.
Both Lord Krishna and Goddess Kali hold deep spiritual significance in Hindu traditions. Their iconography carries religious and philosophical meanings that extend well beyond physical appearance.
The Reddit user’s argument, however, focused on the social inconsistency of celebrating these revered figures while allowing prejudice against darker skin tones to persist.
The observation turned an influencer-related discussion into a broader conversation about cultural values and everyday attitudes towards appearance.
Can Makeup Trends Reinforce Colourism?
The debate also raised questions about the relationship between makeup and beauty standards.
Foundation, contouring, concealer and lighting techniques are widely used to create different visual effects. Choosing a particular makeup look does not, by itself, establish that someone holds discriminatory views about skin colour.
However, beauty trends can become controversial when they repeatedly suggest that a lighter complexion is more desirable than a person’s natural skin tone.
There is an important distinction between personal expression and promoting the idea that darker skin needs to be corrected.
For example, makeup may be used to enhance facial features, experiment with different styles or create a particular aesthetic. Problems arise when darker complexions are consistently portrayed as flaws rather than natural variations in appearance.
The Reddit discussion reflected this concern, with some participants interpreting the alleged remark as part of a larger cultural preference for fair skin.
Those interpretations remain opinions expressed by social media users rather than evidence of Makhija’s personal beliefs.
Reddit Users React to The Rebel Kid Controversy
The discussion attracted comments from users who expressed concerns about the messages young audiences may take away from influencer content.
One commenter suggested that teenagers following popular creators could develop new insecurities about their appearance when they repeatedly encounter negative associations with darker complexions.
Another questioned the responsibilities of influencers whose content reaches impressionable viewers.
Some responses were more personal and critical of Makhija. Such remarks illustrate the intensity of online discussions, but personal insults do little to address the underlying issue of colourism.
The comments should also not be taken as a representative measure of wider public opinion. A Reddit discussion reflects the views of its participants, not necessarily the attitudes of an influencer’s entire audience.
The more substantive question is whether everyday language about complexion can reinforce beauty hierarchies even when no deliberate offence is intended.
Why Skin Colour Discussions Matter for Young Social Media Users
Young people are exposed to an enormous volume of beauty-related content through Instagram, YouTube and other digital platforms.
Photographs, short videos, beauty filters and carefully styled appearances can create an impression that certain looks are more desirable than others.
For teenagers who are still developing their sense of identity and self-confidence, repeated exposure to narrow beauty ideals can contribute to appearance-related pressure.
Colourism adds another dimension to this experience.
Unlike ordinary differences in fashion or cosmetic preferences, colourism involves assigning greater social value to people because they have lighter skin.
In India, the issue has a long history involving beauty advertising, entertainment, marriage preferences and social attitudes.
Although public conversations about inclusive beauty have grown, criticism of darker complexions and the association of fairness with attractiveness continue to attract concern.
This makes the language used by prominent online personalities worthy of thoughtful discussion without automatically treating every disputed comment as proof of prejudice.
The Difference Between Colourism and Personal Beauty Preferences
Not every preference about makeup, lighting or appearance amounts to colourism.
A person may prefer a certain photograph because of its lighting, styling or overall composition. They may also dislike how they look in a particular video for reasons unrelated to complexion.
Colourism becomes relevant when skin tone itself is treated as the reason someone is less beautiful, respectable or desirable.
That distinction matters when evaluating social media controversies.
A short quotation or edited clip may not fully establish a speaker’s intentions. At the same time, language can contribute to harmful stereotypes even when those stereotypes are not consciously intended.
Both considerations deserve attention in a responsible discussion of beauty standards.
Has Apoorva Makhija Responded to the Criticism?
The material available for this report does not include a verified public response from Apoorva Makhija addressing the specific Reddit discussion or the alleged video remark.
It is therefore unclear whether she has explained the original context or responded to the criticism.
Any subsequent statement from the influencer should be considered alongside the complete source material before drawing conclusions about her intentions.
A Bigger Conversation About Beauty Beyond Skin Tone
What began as a Reddit post about a popular influencer has highlighted an issue extending beyond any individual creator.
Skin colour remains a sensitive subject because perceptions of beauty are shaped by families, communities, advertising, entertainment and social media.
Influencers play a visible role in that environment, but responsibility for challenging colourism does not rest with them alone.
Beauty brands, media organisations and audiences also influence which appearances are celebrated and which are marginalised.
The discussion surrounding Apoorva Makhija demonstrates why conversations about complexion require nuance. Criticism of potentially harmful beauty standards can be valuable, but it should be grounded in context rather than personal attacks or assumptions about intent.
Ultimately, the central question is not whether someone prefers one makeup look over another. It is whether darker skin is being treated as something that needs to be hidden, changed or considered less beautiful.
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