Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, is an Indian digital content creator, social media influencer, actor and reality television personality. Born on July 28, 2001, she became famous for her humorous reels, mini vlogs, personal rants and outspoken commentary on relationships, modern life and everyday experiences. Her distinctive style helped her build a large Gen Z audience and turn social media content creation into a full-time career. Forbes India ranked her No. 8 on its 2024 list of India’s Top 100 Digital Stars in the comedy category.
Before becoming a full-time creator, Mukhija studied computer science and worked in the corporate sector. She earned a B.Tech in Computer Science from Manipal University Jaipur and reportedly worked as an associate sales engineer analyst at Dell Technologies after graduation. Her online career, however, quickly grew beyond her professional job, with Forbes noting that she had worked with around 150 brands, including Nike, Kate Spade, Amazon, Meta and Maybelline.
Mukhija’s fame has also expanded into mainstream entertainment. She appeared on Prime Video’s The Traitors India in 2025 and later became part of Lock Upp 2 in 2026. Her career has also been marked by controversy, most notably the backlash surrounding her appearance on India’s Got Latent in 2025. In 2026, she attracted renewed attention after moving to New York to pursue an MBA at New York University’s Stern School of Business and after a viral video sparked dating rumours involving DJ and podcaster Amin Jaz.
Apoorva Mukhija Profile Summary
| Profile | Details |
| Full Name | Apoorva Mukhija |
| Popular Name | The Rebel Kid |
| Other Nickname | Kaleshi Aurat |
| Date of Birth | July 28, 2001 |
| Age | 25 years old |
| Birthplace | New Delhi, India |
| Hometown | Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Content Creator, Influencer, Actor, Reality Television Personality |
| Education | B.Tech in Computer Science |
| University | Manipal University Jaipur |
| Current City | New York City, United States |
| Current Studies | MBA at New York University Stern School of Business |
| Known For | Comedy videos, mini vlogs, rants and reality television |
| Major Shows | The Traitors India, Lock Upp 2 |
| @the.rebel.kid | |
| Relationship Status | Dating rumours involving Amin Jaz, not officially confirmed |
| Height | Commonly listed around 5 feet 6 inches |
| Religion | Not reliably documented |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Apoorva Mukhija Early Life
Apoorva Mukhija was born on July 28, 2001, in New Delhi, India, and grew up in the Delhi-NCR region, with Noida commonly identified as her hometown. She developed an interest in communication, entertainment and social media while growing up, eventually discovering that her natural ability to tell stories and turn ordinary situations into humorous content could connect with a large audience. Public sources differ on some details of her early family background, so information about her parents is best treated cautiously.
Mukhija attended several schools during her childhood and teenage years, including Khaitan Public School, Convent of Jesus and Mary in New Delhi and Delhi Public School in Panipat. Her academic record later became an important part of her public identity because she has repeatedly emphasized that she was a strong student before becoming a full-time creator. She has said that she scored 10 GPA in Class 10, 95.4 percent in Class 12 and an 8.4 GPA during college.
Unlike many influencers who enter content creation without a conventional professional path, Mukhija initially pursued a technical career. She studied computer science at university and subsequently entered the corporate world. Her academic and professional background later became particularly relevant when she decided to return to formal education in the United States, showing that her ambitions extend beyond social media fame.
Apoorva Mukhija Education
Mukhija completed her schooling in Delhi and Haryana before enrolling at Manipal University Jaipur. She pursued a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and completed the degree in 2022. Her educational background gave her a technical foundation that was quite different from the entertainment career she would later build.
While studying at university, she also began developing her online presence. Her content gradually became more popular, and the combination of her academic life, relationships, observations and humorous storytelling provided material for the videos that eventually established her as The Rebel Kid. She has described herself as someone who has always been comfortable with academics and exams, even while preferring a more unconventional lifestyle.
In 2026, Mukhija took another major step in her education by moving from India to New York to pursue an MBA at New York University’s Stern School of Business. She explained that she wanted the experience of studying and living in New York, meeting new people and broadening her perspective. She has also said that she wants to use the business education to help her eventually build her own direct-to-consumer brand.
Apoorva Mukhija Career
Beginning as a Content Creator
Apoorva Mukhija began creating online content at a relatively young age. One of her early YouTube videos was titled If Beauty Gurus Were Honest, and she gradually developed a recognizable style built around short-form comedy, mini vlogs, storytelling and blunt observations.
Her content became especially popular on Instagram, where her personality became as important as the individual subjects of her videos. Rather than relying solely on highly produced visual content, she often presented herself in a casual and conversational manner. This helped her appear relatable to younger audiences and contributed to the growth of The Rebel Kid as a recognizable online persona.
Rise of The Rebel Kid
The nickname The Rebel Kid became closely associated with Mukhija’s online identity. Her content frequently focused on relationships, dating, friendships, social expectations and situations experienced by young Indians. Her willingness to discuss uncomfortable or embarrassing subjects contributed to her popularity.
Her rapid rise also attracted major brands. Forbes India reported that she had worked with approximately 150 brands, including Nike, Kate Spade, Amazon, Meta and Maybelline. By 2024, she was ranked eighth overall on Forbes India’s Top 100 Digital Stars list, making her one of the most prominent comedy creators in the country.
Corporate Career
Before becoming a full-time digital celebrity, Mukhija had a conventional professional job. She reportedly joined Dell Technologies as an associate sales engineer analyst in Bengaluru after completing her computer science degree.
Her transition from technology to entertainment demonstrates how quickly the creator economy can change a person’s career path. Although she had the qualifications to continue in the technology industry, the growth of her social media audience eventually made content creation a much more visible part of her professional life.
Acting and Entertainment
Mukhija gradually expanded beyond social media into acting and mainstream entertainment. Her public profile allowed her to work with entertainment companies and appear in projects beyond short-form digital content.
One of her major television appearances came through The Traitors India, the reality competition series hosted by Karan Johar. She competed alongside actors, creators, entertainers and other public figures. Mukhija was eliminated during the ninth episode after initially becoming one of the show’s most recognizable contestants.
Her participation in The Traitors also introduced her to audiences who may not have followed her social-media career closely. Her outspoken personality, disagreements with other contestants and friendship with Sufi Motiwala became part of the show’s wider online conversation.
India’s Got Latent Controversy
In 2025, Mukhija became involved in one of the biggest controversies of her career after appearing on Samay Raina’s YouTube show India’s Got Latent. The episode generated widespread public outrage following an offensive comment made by fellow participant Ranveer Allahbadia. Multiple complaints and FIRs followed the controversy, and Mukhija herself faced intense online criticism over her participation in the episode.
The backlash had professional consequences. Mukhija was removed from the official list of IIFA ambassadors in February 2025 following the controversy. The incident represented a major turning point in her public image because she went from being primarily known for humorous and relatable content to becoming the subject of a national debate about online speech and influencer responsibility.
The Traitors India
Mukhija later appeared on the first season of The Traitors India, hosted by Karan Johar. The series brought together celebrities from entertainment, sports and digital media and placed them in a social strategy competition.
Her time on the show helped expand her television profile, but it also produced disagreements with other participants. Her friendship and subsequent fallout with Sufi Motiwala became particularly significant because the two later reunited during Lock Upp 2.
Lock Upp 2
In July 2026, Mukhija entered Lock Upp 2 as an informer rather than a conventional competing contestant. Her appearance generated considerable attention because of her reputation for being outspoken and confrontational. She later explained that her role involved creating tension and influencing the dynamics inside the show.
Her appearance lasted roughly a week, and after leaving the show she responded to criticism about her conduct. She said that contractual restrictions had prevented her from explaining her role while the programme was airing. The brief appearance nevertheless gave her another major burst of television exposure.
Move to New York and MBA
In August 2026, Mukhija announced that she had moved to New York to study for an MBA at NYU Stern. She explained that one of her major motivations was to experience a new environment and meet people outside the social circle she had developed in India.
The move represented a significant change in her life. After years of building The Rebel Kid as a highly recognizable internet personality, she said she wanted to step away from the pressure of constantly maintaining that persona and focus on personal development, education and business. She has also discussed plans to eventually return to India and build her own direct-to-consumer brand.
Apoorva Mukhija Trending: Why Is Apoorva Mukhija Famous?
Apoorva Mukhija is trending in September 2026 because of viral footage involving her and DJ and podcaster Amin Jaz. A video circulating online shows the two appearing to kiss at a music event, leading to widespread speculation that they are romantically involved. Neither Mukhija nor Amin has officially confirmed that they are dating, so the relationship should currently be described as a rumour rather than an established fact.
The speculation is particularly significant because Amin Jaz has a connection to Mukhija beyond the recent viral video. She previously appeared on his podcast, Untriggered with AminJaz, and the two have known each other through the digital creator and entertainment scene. Their recent interaction has therefore attracted considerable attention from fans and Indian entertainment media.
Mukhija has also remained in the news because of her move to New York for her MBA and her recent reflections on fame, identity and the pressure of remaining relevant online. In September 2026, she spoke about periods when she felt empty despite professional success, while also addressing earlier criticism surrounding her Coachella appearance and the India’s Got Latent controversy.
Apoorva Mukhija Personal Life
Apoorva Mukhija has generally kept some aspects of her family life away from the spotlight, although her relationships and friendships have frequently appeared in her content. She has spoken publicly about having had a relationship during university and has said that the relationship significantly shaped her college experience. She has also discussed how moving to New York would allow her to build a broader social circle after feeling that her previous environment had become restrictive.
Her friendships have also played a significant role in her public story. Her friendship with Sufi Motiwala became particularly well known after their appearance on The Traitors India. Their subsequent disagreement attracted attention, but the pair later reconciled during Lock Upp 2. Mukhija described Motiwala as someone who had supported her during an extremely difficult period following the India’s Got Latent controversy.
As of September 2026, Mukhija’s romantic life is the subject of renewed speculation because of her viral interaction with Amin Jaz. However, neither has publicly confirmed that they are officially a couple. For that reason, reports describing Amin as her boyfriend should be treated as unconfirmed rather than established fact.
Apoorva Mukhija Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Apoorva Mukhija was born on July 28, 2001, making her 25 years old in September 2026. She was born in New Delhi, India, and is Indian by nationality. She is widely associated with Noida and the Delhi-NCR region, where she spent much of her early life.
Mukhija’s religion has not been reliably established through authoritative public sources, so a specific religious affiliation should not be confidently attributed to her. Her public identity is instead primarily associated with her digital career, entertainment appearances and outspoken personality.
Her height is commonly listed at approximately 5 feet 6 inches, or around 168 centimetres, although this figure is not an officially verified measurement. She is known for her youthful appearance and distinctive personal style, which have also contributed to her appeal as a lifestyle and fashion influencer.
Apoorva Mukhija Social Media Presence
Apoorva Mukhija is one of India’s most prominent social-media creators, with Instagram serving as the main platform through which she developed The Rebel Kid identity. Her official Instagram handle is @the.rebel.kid. Forbes India identified the same handle when ranking her among India’s Top 100 Digital Stars.
Her content generally combines comedy, personal stories, mini vlogs, fashion, travel and commentary about relationships and everyday life. Her ability to turn personal experiences into highly shareable short-form content has been one of the main reasons for her continued growth.
Apoorva Mukhija Net Worth
Apoorva Mukhija’s exact net worth has not been publicly verified through reliable financial records. Online estimates vary considerably and are generally based on assumptions about influencer earnings, brand partnerships, television appearances and social-media reach rather than audited financial information.
Her earning potential is nevertheless substantial. Forbes India reported that she had worked with around 150 brands, including major international names such as Nike, Amazon, Meta, Maybelline and Kate Spade. She has also earned through entertainment appearances, digital campaigns and other commercial opportunities created by her large online audience.
Because there is no authoritative public record of her assets, investments, contracts and personal earnings, it is more accurate to describe Apoorva Mukhija’s net worth as undisclosed rather than attach an unsupported figure to her name. Her career as a top digital creator, however, places her among India’s more commercially valuable young social-media personalities.
Apoorva Mukhija Legacy
Apoorva Mukhija’s biggest contribution to Indian digital culture has been her role in demonstrating how a young creator can turn an informal social-media personality into a major entertainment career. Her combination of comedy, storytelling, personal commentary and relatable experiences helped her establish The Rebel Kid as a recognizable brand rather than simply an Instagram account.
Her career also illustrates the increasingly blurred boundary between influencer culture and mainstream entertainment in India. She moved from Instagram and YouTube into brand campaigns, acting, The Traitors India, Lock Upp 2 and other entertainment opportunities. Her 2024 Forbes India ranking at No. 8 among India’s Top 100 Digital Stars provides a strong indication of how significant her influence had become.
Mukhija’s story is also defined by controversy and reinvention. The India’s Got Latent episode exposed her to an extraordinary level of public criticism, while her subsequent television appearances and move to New York showed her willingness to continue building her career despite the backlash. Her decision to pursue an MBA and eventually explore entrepreneurship suggests that her ambitions now extend beyond being a social-media influencer.
Conclusion
Apoorva Mukhija has evolved from a young computer science graduate and corporate employee into one of India’s most recognizable Gen Z digital personalities. Under the name The Rebel Kid, she built a huge audience through comedy, rants, mini vlogs and candid storytelling before expanding into brand campaigns, acting and reality television. Her appearances on The Traitors India and Lock Upp 2, combined with the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent, have made her a frequent subject of national entertainment coverage. In 2026, she entered a new phase by moving to New York to pursue an MBA at NYU Stern, while renewed attention around her alleged relationship with Amin Jaz has placed her back at the centre of online discussion. With a successful creator career already behind her and ambitions to enter entrepreneurship, Mukhija’s next chapter could extend well beyond social media.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apoorva Mukhija
Who is Apoorva Mukhija?
Apoorva Mukhija is an Indian digital content creator, influencer, actor and reality television personality best known online as The Rebel Kid.
How old is Apoorva Mukhija?
Apoorva Mukhija was born on July 28, 2001. She is 25 years old as of September 2026.
What is Apoorva Mukhija famous for?
She is famous for her humorous Instagram reels, mini vlogs, rants, storytelling and outspoken personality. She is also known for The Traitors India, Lock Upp 2 and her appearance on India’s Got Latent.
What is Apoorva Mukhija’s real name?
Her real name is Apoorva Mukhija. The Rebel Kid is her popular social-media name.
Where did Apoorva Mukhija study?
Apoorva Mukhija studied computer science at Manipal University Jaipur and earned a B.Tech degree. In 2026, she moved to New York to pursue an MBA at NYU Stern.
Is Apoorva Mukhija studying at NYU?
Yes. In 2026, Mukhija moved to New York to pursue an MBA at New York University’s Stern School of Business.
Who is Apoorva Mukhija’s boyfriend?
Apoorva Mukhija’s current relationship status has not been officially confirmed. In September 2026, a viral video showing her appearing to kiss DJ and podcaster Amin Jaz sparked dating rumours, but neither has officially confirmed that they are a couple.
What happened to Apoorva Mukhija on India’s Got Latent?
Mukhija appeared on an episode of India’s Got Latent that became embroiled in a major controversy in 2025. The episode triggered widespread backlash and legal complaints, and Mukhija was subsequently removed from the official IIFA ambassador list.
Was Apoorva Mukhija on The Traitors India?
Yes. She was a contestant on the first season of The Traitors India and was eliminated during the ninth episode.
Was Apoorva Mukhija on Lock Upp 2?
Yes. She entered Lock Upp 2 in July 2026 as an informer rather than a conventional competing contestant. She stayed for approximately a week before leaving the show.
What is Apoorva Mukhija’s Instagram handle?
Apoorva Mukhija’s Instagram handle is @the.rebel.kid.
What is Apoorva Mukhija’s net worth?
Apoorva Mukhija’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Her income comes from brand partnerships, social-media work, entertainment appearances and other commercial opportunities, but no authoritative source establishes her total personal wealth.