Rachel Gupta, the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International title in October 2024, has stepped down from her position, alleging mistreatment and a toxic environment within the pageant organization. In a 56-minute YouTube video released on May 28, 2025, Gupta detailed her experiences during her seven-month reign, including claims of harassment, neglect, and body shaming by pageant officials.
The pageant organizers have since gone online and said that they never did anything out of contract
Gupta described being moved into a cramped hotel room immediately after her victory, followed by relocation to a dilapidated house on the outskirts of Bangkok without basic amenities or transportation. She alleged that she was forced to purchase her own Thai cell phone to stay in touch with her family and was not provided with the promised monthly stipend or luxury accommodations. Additionally, Gupta claimed that she was pressured to promote products on TikTok and was subjected to ridicule over her weight by pageant representatives.
Her 56-minute-long video talking about her experience is the only video uploaded on her Youtube channel as of May 29 2025, and has amassed over 1.4 million views in 8 days. Watch it here.
In response, the Miss Grand International (MGI) organization issued a formal statement denying all allegations, calling them “false, misleading, and defamatory.” MGI stated that Gupta’s title was revoked due to her failure to fulfill assigned duties, engagement in unauthorized projects, and refusal to participate in scheduled events. The organization has requested the return of the crown within 30 days.
Following Gupta’s resignation, Ana Sofía Lendl of Guatemala, the first runner-up, was appointed as the new Miss Grand International 2024. Lendl was officially crowned on June 3, 2025, at a ceremony held at the MGI Hall in Bangkok.
Gupta’s resignation has sparked widespread discussion about the treatment of beauty pageant contestants and the responsibilities of pageant organizations. Many supporters have rallied behind Gupta, using the hashtag #JusticeForRachel to express solidarity and call for greater accountability within the industry.
