Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, has become a standout name from The Traitors. The reality show, known for mind games and betrayals, became the backdrop for her heated clashes and unexpected bonds. What began as a promising start with friendships soon spiraled into tension, heartbreak, and drama both on and off camera.
Apoorva entered The Traitors in September 2024, filled with nervous excitement. At just 23, she felt the weight of competing with established names from the entertainment world. She feared early elimination and confided that a close friend advised her to take the experience lightly and enjoy the ride. Days before stepping into the game, Apoorva had a major argument with her parents. This fallout meant she left for the show without resolving things at home. With no personal devices allowed inside, she hoped she’d be granted a call to her mother. But the show’s strict rules denied her request, reminding her that the contract permitted only three phone calls, none at her discretion. The rejection left her overwhelmed, the silence weighing heavier than the game’s politics.
Her first encounter with Uorfi Javed, another contestant, quickly set the tone for what would come. Apoorva admitted she sensed a certain arrogance from Uorfi right away. She believed Uorfi didn’t value creators who’d built their careers independently. As she put it, “I knew if I were Maheep Kapoor, voh mujhe izzat degi. But I knew mai sirf ek influencer hu jisne apne dum pe apna content bana ke yaha tak aayi hu toh mujhe voh kyu izzat karegi.”
The two shared a cold camaraderie until a breaking point arrived. On one tough day, when Apoorva was emotionally drained about not contacting her family, Jannat Zubair offered a listening ear. Uorfi noticed her upset and demanded an explanation. Apoorva politely asked for five minutes to gather herself, which unexpectedly triggered Uorfi. Tempers flared as Uorfi accused her of hiding emotions. Apoorva, refusing to be cornered, retorted, “Not everything is about you, Uorfi.” The exchange escalated, with Uorfi shouting and hurling abuses. Apoorva revealed that Uorfi yelled, “Bhnc**d Apoorva idhar aao,”* leaving her both stunned and furious.
Things worsened during a trust exercise at the palace. Contestants had to pick someone they trusted least. Apoorva immediately named Sufi Motiwala, explaining she held a long-standing grudge. At a past party, Sufi had made a distasteful comment about her, something she never forgot. Later, when host Karan Johar asked whom she’d evict first, she chose Sufi, mocking his habit of judging others’ clothes.
Surprisingly, after her fallout with Uorfi, Sufi approached her with an unexpected truce. He said, “Apoorva, we are the youngest people here and the only creators. I know you don’t believe it but baby I got your back. Till the time I’m on the show, I got your back.” That moment led to a newfound friendship.
Apoorva also spoke about labeling Raj Kundra a traitor early on. Though instincts warned her, she hesitated to voice it openly, fearing backlash. She confessed to being talkative, to the point where she scribbled “stop talking” on her hand as a reminder. A detailed ten-minute speech she prepared about Raj’s behavior was eventually cut from the final edit.
The eviction of Karan Kundra was another emotional blow. Many suspected him because of his silence, assuming he hid something. Apoorva admitted she felt heartbroken voting him out. She called him the “sweetest” contestant and admired how he left without bitterness, even gifting her a small keepsake before exiting.
Apoorva’s journey inside The Traitors was more than a gameplay.
