Bigg Boss 19’s third runner-up, Tanya Mittal, has finally spoken openly about the criticism she faced throughout the season — especially the constant label of being “fake.” After stepping out of the house, Tanya reflected on her journey, admitting that the show challenged her emotionally from the very first week. Yet, despite the divided opinions, she believes one thing stayed constant: people couldn’t ignore her presence.
Throughout the season, Tanya was repeatedly called pretentious, a term she firmly rejects. Opening up about her experience, she explained that she has always been transparent about her personality and her background. “My journey has been like searching for a diamond in the rough. Before you find the diamond, you go through a lot of pressure. It breaks you, and you reach a point where you want to give up. It has been a very tough journey for me. I am still looking for that diamond and trying my best. For me, coming this far is already a big victory,” she shared.
Tanya also addressed the criticism surrounding her personal choices, especially her lifestyle and the presence of bodyguards. She pointed out that society readily accepts men who live lavishly, but the same standards do not apply to women. “Whether it’s bodyguards or my lifestyle, people questioned everything. For the first time, a woman who wasn’t a celebrity or politician or film star came in with bodyguards, travelled to Dubai for dessert, and lived life her way. I want to feel like a star without being one. If that is considered ‘too much,’ then I accept that I am too much. And if people don’t judge men for this, they shouldn’t judge me either,” she said.
Despite the discussions around her personality, Tanya insists she comes from a grounded and traditional family. She believes reality shows capture only fragments of a person, not their full character. “Whatever anyone saw inside the house was situational. It doesn’t define my values,” she added.
One of the biggest highlights of her journey was being offered a project by producer Ekta Kapoor. Speaking about the opportunity, Tanya said, “Ekta ma’am has been a dream come true. I have followed her since childhood — she is powerful, inspiring and family-oriented. We exchanged just a few lines that day, she made an offer, and I was honestly stunned. I will meet her now to understand what the project is and what direction it takes.”
As the season concluded, Gaurav Khanna emerged as the winner of Bigg Boss 19, marking the end of one of the show’s most talked-about editions.
