YouTuber Apoorva Mukhija exposes the harsh reality of influencer Diwali parties

YouTuber and influencer Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, has revealed that high-profile influencer gatherings are far from glamorous or enjoyable.

The Reality of Parties

Returning to Mumbai from New York after a gap of nearly a month, Apoorva shared a vlog detailing her experience attending multiple Diwali parties in India. She stated that the events were not fun at all, with guests spending most of their time clicking pictures to fulfill brand deliverables rather than eating or dancing. She showed how influencers stand in long queues for hours just to pose against brand logos. She also noted that even seemingly spontaneous videos of influencers dancing to songs like Chaiyya Chaiyya required dozens of people standing with cameras to get the right shot.

Brand Pressure

Apoorva admitted that her vlog itself was a paid brand collaboration, noting that her jokes often get cut because brands find them unsuitable. She described feeling mentally exhausted from submitting up to four different scripts that faced delayed approvals from brands. She also revealed that her outfits and accessories for these events are rented, and she has to pose for at least 500 pictures to satisfy her contract. For one party, she wore a rented outfit worth Rs 2.5 lakh. Despite the heavy workload, she managed to get the organizers to hire a pani puri vendor for Rs 2 lakh after insisting she would not attend without gol gappe.

Travel and Routine

Apoorva shared details of her hectic travel schedule for Diwali, moving between Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, and a 12-hour work trip to Bengaluru before returning to Goa and Mumbai. She confessed that fear of missing out prevents her from saying no to any plans, despite the exhaustion. Having since returned to New York to pursue her studies and a career in business, she admitted that she missed the influencer lifestyle and felt more alive doing it than during her three months abroad.

Context

Influencer marketing relies heavily on sponsored content and brand partnerships, requiring creators to maintain a continuous public presence and meet strict contractual obligations. Many digital creators balance their online careers with higher education or other professional pursuits abroad. Brand collaborations often involve detailed pre-approved scripts, rented designer clothing, and specific photo deliverables to measure audience engagement.