Influencer Apoorva Mukhija Moves to New York, Says She Wanted a Life Beyond the Creator Bubble
Popular Indian content creator Apoorva Mukhija, widely known online as “The Rebel Kid,” has confirmed that she has moved to New York, marking a major new chapter in her personal and professional life.
Mukhija revealed the move during a recent appearance on the Untriggered By AminJaz podcast. She also confirmed it through an Instagram Story, telling followers that she no longer lives in India.
The influencer said her decision was strongly influenced by her first experience of New York. She described the city as fast-paced and visually appealing, highlighting its architecture, food, fashion and the fact that she had frequently seen the city portrayed in television series and web shows.
Mukhija revealed that she was so determined to live in New York that she applied to only one college. Her approach, she said, was essentially that if she was accepted, she would go. She ultimately received admission and decided to make the move.
She is reportedly moving to New York to pursue an MBA and will live in a dormitory, returning to student life after establishing herself as a prominent social-media creator.
The decision is notable because Mukhija is leaving behind a well-established career in India. She has built a substantial online following through candid and often outspoken content, while also appearing in entertainment and reality television projects.
Mukhija acknowledged that the move means giving up a comfortable life in India. She has spoken about having close friends, a home and a successful career, but said she wanted to experience something different rather than remain within the same professional and social environment.
One of her key motivations is reportedly to meet people outside the influencer and creator industry. She explained that much of her existing social circle consists of people working in the same field, and she wanted exposure to people with completely different careers and backgrounds.
Her move also comes after a particularly eventful period in her public career. Mukhija faced intense online backlash following the India’s Got Latent controversy and subsequently appeared in reality shows including The Traitors and Lock Upp.
During her latest conversation, she reflected on the repeated cycle of online criticism and attempts to rebuild her public image. She suggested that she now wants to approach social media differently and has even described her previous, more controversy-driven persona with the remark that the “kaleshi aurat” phase is over.
Mukhija has also indicated that her content output could change after relocating. Rather than maintaining a strict schedule, she wants to create videos when she genuinely has something she wants to share.
The move had been anticipated for some time. In 2025, Mukhija had discussed the possibility of going abroad for higher studies and had considered pursuing a master’s degree in areas including fashion or management.
There had previously been speculation on social media that she would attend Columbia University, but those reports were not confirmed by her. Recent reports now establish that she has indeed relocated to New York, although the specific institution she will attend has not been identified in the sources reviewed.
For Mukhija, the move appears to be about more than obtaining another degree. It represents an attempt to step outside the environment in which she became famous, experience life in a new country and build relationships beyond the social-media industry.
Her decision also reflects a growing trend among Indian digital creators who are using their financial independence and online careers to pursue education and international opportunities while continuing to maintain a presence on social media.
Whether Mukhija eventually returns to India or builds a longer-term career in the United States remains unclear. For now, however, the influencer has made her choice clear: New York is her new home, and she is beginning a new chapter as a student, creator and public figure far from the ecosystem in which she first became famous.
