Content creator Apoorva Mukhija, known to her fans as The Rebel Kid, has officially left India and moved to New York City. The digital star confirmed the big life change through a podcast appearance and an Instagram Story, telling her followers, “Soo… I don’t live in India anymore.”
The move marks a major turning point for the influencer, who rose to fame through her candid online content and later appeared on reality shows like Lock Upp Season 2 and The Traitors. Mukhija, 25, is now trading her Mumbai life for a student dorm in Manhattan, where she will pursue an MBA.
Why Apoorva Mukhija Decided to Leave India
During a recent episode of the podcast Untriggered By AminJaz, Mukhija opened up about her decision to relocate permanently. She explained that her choice was driven by a mix of personal goals, career aspirations, and a desire for a change of scenery.
One of the main reasons behind the move is her wish to meet new people and expand her social circle. Mukhija admitted that her current circle mostly consists of fellow content creators, and she wants to connect with individuals from different backgrounds.
“I want to meet new people, and the only way you can do that is through college. Here (in Mumbai), I can only meet new creators through this job. I don’t want my circle to be just creators. My thinking has become very limited.”
She also shared that she doesn’t see herself as a content creator forever. Mukhija wants to start her own business someday, but she realized she lacks knowledge in finance and other business areas. This prompted her to go back to school and study.
The Pull of New York City
Mukhija didn’t pick just any city for her new chapter. She chose New York because of a deep connection she felt during her travels. She described falling in love with the city’s energy, style, and food.
“I have travelled quite a lot and when I landed in New York I was like, ‘I really want to live here’. There was something about this city. It was so fast, everyone is so well dressed, the food is great. I love the architecture and I have seen New York in almost every single web series that I love.”
Her love for the city was so strong that she took a bold step: she applied to only one college—and that college was in New York. She said, “I was like ‘If I get in. I get in and I’ll go’. And I got in.”
Leaving Behind a Comfortable Life
Mukhija acknowledged that her decision wasn’t easy. In India, she had a comfortable life with a great career, good money, a full-time house help, and recognition everywhere she went. She admitted that leaving all of that behind to live in a dorm and study is both exciting and scary.
“I have great friends, great house, a full-time house help. My career is going great. I make a lot of money. Everybody here knows me. I have access to a lot of things in this country. Then I am leaving all this to live in a dorm in Manhattan to study and be a student. And I don’t know anyone there.”
She also shared that her MBA degree might not directly help her career since she doesn’t plan to work a 9-to-5 job. Instead, she values the experience, the people she will meet, and the personal growth that comes with stepping out of her comfort zone.
A Break from the ‘Cancelled’ Cycle
The move also comes after a difficult period for Mukhija. She was part of the panel on Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent, which became the center of a major controversy in February 2025. The episode triggered widespread backlash, police complaints, and FIRs.
Mukhija admitted that the constant cycle of being “cancelled” online has been exhausting. She said that even a few weeks of being cancelled can affect her brand deals and income. She feels the pressure of having to carefully watch what she says, and she expressed frustration over repeatedly finding herself at the center of online criticism.
While some might see her move as an escape from the controversy, Mukhija clarified that her decision was driven by her long-standing love for New York and her educational goals.
College Life She Never Had
Another personal reason for the move is her desire to experience college life properly. Mukhija revealed that her first two years of college were spent in lockdown, and the remaining two years were spent in a relationship. She feels she missed out on the social experiences that college offers.
“All I was doing was holding my then-boyfriend’s hand on campus.”
She also noted that she doesn’t have many friends from her college days; most of her current friends are fellow creators whom she met recently. Now, she wants to build friendships with people who are not part of the influencer world.
Applying to Only One College
Mukhija’s determination to move to New York was clear from her application strategy. She didn’t apply to multiple universities as a safety net. Instead, she put all her energy into getting into a single college in the city she loved.
This risky approach paid off when she received her acceptance letter. She said, “I have always wanted to live there so I only applied to one college because I only wanted to live in New York. I was like if I get in, I get in and I will go. And I got in. So now, I have to go.”
What’s Next for the Rebel Kid?
Mukhija has already moved to New York and is settling into student life. She shared that she plans to continue creating content but on her own terms. She mentioned that she might not be as consistent with her storytime videos as before and will post when she genuinely feels like it.
She also joked that her “kaleshi aurat” phase is over, indicating a shift in her content style. She now has a clearer understanding of what works for her audience and what doesn’t.
The content creator had first hinted at moving abroad in June 2025, when she spoke about preparing for a master’s degree in fashion or management. She had also taken competitive exams at the time. Now, almost a year later, she has turned that plan into reality.
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A New Chapter in the Big Apple
Apoorva Mukhija’s move to New York is more than just a change of address. It’s a fresh start, a chance to grow, and an opportunity to step outside the influencer bubble. She is leaving behind a successful career in India to become a student again, live in a dorm, and build a new life in a city she has always admired.
Her journey from Mumbai to Manhattan shows that it’s never too late to chase a dream, even if it means stepping into the unknown. Fans will be watching closely to see how this new chapter unfolds for the Rebel Kid.
Also Read: Supreme Court Quashes All FIRs Against Samay Raina in India’s Got Latent Disability Remarks Case
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