Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known online as Rebel Kid, has addressed speculation about how she secured admission to New York University (NYU), firmly rejecting claims that she donated money to get into the institution.
The content creator recently shared a Storytime video on her YouTube channel, where she spoke about her decision to move to New York to pursue an MBA.
Her move has generated considerable discussion online, including speculation on X that she may have secured her place at the university through a donation. Apoorva responded to those claims by pointing to her academic background, professional experience and years of running her social-media business.
Apoorva Mukhija Says She Did Not Get Into NYU Through a Donation
Addressing the rumours in her video, Apoorva questioned the idea that she had paid a donation to secure admission.
She said she did not have the kind of money required to make such a donation and also pointed to the high cost of studying at NYU.
“Are you all mad? Firstly I don’t have so much money to donate and the fees here are so much that it feels like donation,” Apoorva said.
She then highlighted her academic record and professional experience as factors she believes helped her application.
“From a B-school point of view, I have been exceptional in all my academics. I have crazy work experience,” she said.
Apoorva also discussed the scale of her work as a digital creator, explaining that she has collaborated with major brands and built large audiences across Instagram and YouTube.
‘I Have Worked With All of the Top Brands in the Country’
Apoorva argued that her professional journey extends well beyond being a social-media influencer.
She said she has worked with several leading brands and has also gained experience through television and acting.
“I have worked with all of the top brands in the country. I have done reality TV, I have acted,” she said.
She also pointed to the audiences she has built on her social platforms.
According to Apoorva, her Instagram and YouTube accounts have grown to approximately 4.8 million and 1.8 million followers/subscribers, respectively.
She described her online presence as a business that she has been building for around five years.
“It is literally a business that I have been running for the last five years,” she explained.
Apoorva Says She Runs a Team
The creator also spoke about the business side of her career.
She said she has employees and a team working with her, adding that her professional responsibilities have given her experience beyond content creation itself.
Apoorva further described communication and interviewing as among her strongest skills.
“My interview skills are top notch, if you ever interview me for any job, I will get it because I know how to talk!” she said.
She added, “The one thing that I know how to do is talk!”
Concluding her response to the donation rumours, Apoorva said, “So no, I am not here by giving donations.”
Her comments were specifically directed at the online speculation surrounding her NYU admission.
Why Apoorva Mukhija Decided to Study in New York
Apoorva also revealed that pursuing higher education abroad had been part of her plans for some time.
She said the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent had a significant impact on her mental health and contributed to her desire to move away and focus on another chapter of her life.
According to Apoorva, she had always intended to leave the country for further studies. She eventually decided to apply and said she was accepted into the one institution to which she applied.
Her move to New York therefore represents a new phase in her career, coming after several years of growth as a digital creator and public figure.
Apoorva Mukhija and the ‘India’s Got Latent’ Controversy
Apoorva’s comments also come months after the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent, the YouTube comedy show hosted by Samay Raina.
In February 2025, remarks made by Ranveer Allahbadia about parents and sex on the programme triggered widespread criticism.
Apoorva was among the people featured on the episode and also faced online backlash over her interaction with a contestant.
The controversy escalated beyond social-media criticism, with complaints and FIRs being filed against people associated with the episode.
Apoorva later spoke publicly about receiving serious online threats, including death and rape threats, following the controversy.
The episode became a major turning point for several of the personalities involved and generated a wider conversation around the limits of online comedy and creator responsibility.
Apoorva Mukhija’s Recent Reality TV Appearance
Before moving to New York, Apoorva also appeared on the reality show Lock Upp.
She joined the programme for a limited period as an informant, with her entry designed to introduce another layer to the competition and influence the dynamics inside the house.
The season subsequently concluded with Shreya Kalra emerging as the winner.
With her move to New York and decision to pursue an MBA, Apoorva now appears to be entering a different phase of her public and professional life.
