Who is Rachel Gupta? Meet 20-year-old Punjab resident who just became the first Indian to win Miss Grand International

Rachel Gupta won the Miss Grand International title this week — becoming the first Indian to secure the crown.

Rachel Gupta, Miss Grand International.

Rachel Gupta became the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International title on Friday — beating out contenders from more than 70 countries. The Punjab resident also won the Grand Pageants Choice Award and currently remains tied with Lara Dutta for ‘the most global pageant crowns won by an Indian’.

“Congratulations to the winner Rachel Gupta on achieving the crown of dreams! She embodies beauty, elegance, and true talent. May her journey to success shine even brighter with every step she takes,” the organisers wrote on Instagram while sharing a video of the announcement.

“We did it! We won the first Golden Crown in Indian history…Thank you so much to everyone who believed in me! I promise, I will not let you down. I vow to be a Queen whose reign you’ll remember forever!” she added in a later post.

The twenty-year-old secured a place at the international pageant after winning the Miss Grand India title in August. She had also previously won the ‘Miss Super Talent of the World’ crown in 2022.

She enjoys considereable influence on social media — with more than a million followers on Instagram. She will now serve as a global ambassador for Miss Grand International — promoting global peace and stability.

An article published in 2022 had previously indicated that Gupta was pursuing academics and entrepreneurship while working on pageants.

“I understand that a lot of women hesitate in pursuing their dreams. Either due to the baggage that they carry or lack of faith. I hope my journey inspires and encourages them to have aspirations, break the chains and work towards accomplishing their dreams,” reports quoted the then 18-year-old as saying following her 2022 win.

In an unrelated update from the pageant world, Nikita Powal was crowned Femina Miss India World 2024 at a grand finale held in Mumbai last week. The Madhya Pradesh resident will now represent India at the global Miss World pageant — joining the ranks of legendary winners like Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra.

(With inputs from agencies)

Rachel Gupta, a 20-year-old from Punjab, India, has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Miss Grand International title. The stunning pageant was held on Friday, where Gupta outshone contestants from over 70 countries. This remarkable achievement places her alongside Lara Dutta as the Indian with the most global pageant crowns.

The organizers of Miss Grand International expressed their congratulations to Gupta on Instagram, highlighting her beauty, elegance, and exceptional talent. They shared a video of the announcement, celebrating her momentous victory.

In a subsequent post, Gupta expressed her gratitude to her supporters and vowed to make her reign unforgettable. She emphasized her commitment to being a queen whose impact would be long-lasting.

Before her international triumph, Gupta secured the Miss Grand India title in August 2023. Her journey to the global stage began with her win at the Miss Super Talent of the World pageant in 2022.

With a significant social media following of over a million on Instagram, Gupta wields considerable influence. As the newly crowned Miss Grand International, she will now assume the role of a global ambassador, promoting peace and stability worldwide.

In a previous interview, Gupta shared her aspirations to inspire young women to pursue their dreams, regardless of societal pressures or self-doubt. She acknowledged the challenges faced by many women and expressed her hope that her journey would motivate them to break free from limitations and strive for their goals.

In another significant development in the world of Indian pageantry, Nikita Powal from Madhya Pradesh was crowned Femina Miss India World 2024. She will now represent India at the prestigious Miss World pageant, following in the footsteps of legendary winners like Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra.