Rebel Kid Apoorva Makhija moves to New York, explains why she left India
Synopsis
Apoorva Makhija, one of India's most-watched young creators, has quit Mumbai for New York — and she's not planning to come back. The Rebel Kid says she applied to just one college in the city, wants out of content creation, and is eyeing business. It's a rare public break from the India-or-bust narrative that defines most influencer careers.
Key Takeaways
Apoorva Makhija , known as Rebel Kid , has relocated from Mumbai to New York , confirming the move on social media.
She said she applied to only one college in New York, having decided the city was where she wanted to live after visiting it.
As early as June 2025 , she had spoken about plans to pursue a master's degree in fashion or management abroad.
Makhija said she does not intend to remain a content creator long-term and wants to move into business .
She rose to national fame through India's Got Latent and has appeared on The Traitors Season 1 and Lock Upp Season 2 .
Indian content creator Apoorva Makhija, widely known as Rebel Kid, has relocated to New York, confirming the move through a social media post in which she wrote, 'Soo… I don't live in India anymore.' The announcement came alongside her appearance on a podcast where she elaborated on the personal and professional reasoning behind leaving India.
Why She Chose New York
Makhija said her desire to live in New York crystallised the moment she first visited the city. 'I have traveled quite a lot and when I landed in New York I was like, I really want to live here,' she said. She cited the city's energy, fashion, cuisine, and architecture as key draws, adding that she had grown up watching New York in web series she loved.
So committed was she to the move that she applied to only a single college in the city. 'I was like, if I get in, I get in and I'll go,' she said. This decision was reportedly not impulsive — as far back as June 2025, Makhija had spoken publicly about plans to move abroad for higher studies and was preparing for a master's degree in fashion or management.
Her Reservations About Staying in India
Makhija was candid about why she did not envision a long-term future in India. She reportedly said that building a life and staying in the country is not something she sees for herself going forward. The Mumbai-based creator, who described herself as living in the best city in India, said she could not picture spending her life commuting daily from Andheri to Colaba — a reference to the city's notoriously long cross-town distances.
She also reflected on her college years, noting that the first two years were lost to the COVID-19 lockdown and the remaining two were spent in a relationship. Most of her friendships, she said, have been formed recently and largely within the creator community.
Plans Beyond Content Creation
Makhija was equally candid about her professional ambitions, stating that she does not intend to remain a content creator indefinitely. She reportedly said content creation is not something one can do forever and expressed a desire to transition into business. The move to New York appears to be part of that broader pivot.
Background and Rise to Prominence
Makhija rose to national prominence following her appearance on comedian Samay Raina's show India's Got Latent, where an altercation with a participant led to legal trouble. She has since been part of two reality productions — The Traitors Season 1 and Lock Upp Season 2. Her relocation marks a significant shift for one of India's more recognisable young digital voices, and signals a broader ambition that extends well beyond the content economy.
Point of View
Where top talent increasingly sees the platform as a launchpad rather than a destination. Her pivot-to-business framing is telling: the creator economy has no clear second act in India for those who want to scale beyond content. The candour about Mumbai's liveability — the Andheri-to-Colaba commute as a metaphor for a city that grinds you down — will resonate with a generation that built audiences online but finds the physical infrastructure of ambition easier to access elsewhere.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Apoorva Makhija leave India and move to New York?
Apoorva Makhija said she fell in love with New York after visiting the city and could not picture spending her life in India long-term. She cited the city's pace, fashion, food, and architecture, and said she applied to only one college there, committed to making the move if she got in.
When did Apoorva Makhija move to New York?
Makhija confirmed the move in a social media post around August 2025, writing 'Soo… I don't live in India anymore.' She had first spoken publicly about plans to move abroad for higher studies as early as June 2025.
What are Apoorva Makhija's plans after moving to New York?
Makhija has said she does not intend to remain a content creator indefinitely and wants to transition into business. She was reportedly preparing for a master's degree in fashion or management as part of this shift.
Who is Apoorva Makhija, also known as Rebel Kid?
Apoorva Makhija is an Indian content creator who gained national prominence through her appearance on Samay Raina's show India's Got Latent. She has also appeared on reality shows The Traitors Season 1 and Lock Upp Season 2.
What did Apoorva Makhija say about living in Mumbai?
Makhija said she considers Mumbai the best city in India but cannot envision spending her life commuting daily from Andheri to Colaba. She also reflected on a college experience largely lost to the COVID-19 lockdown and a relationship, saying most of her friendships have been formed recently within the creator community.
