Mumbai, September 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Dancer-actress Lauren Gottlieb has voiced her support for content creator Apoorva Makhija, popularly known as Rebel Kid, for moving to New York and choosing to pursue a new chapter in her personal and professional life.
Lauren said she could relate to Apoorva's decision, having made a similar move herself in 2017 when she relocated to New York to attend acting school and explore new possibilities.
Reflecting on her own journey, Lauren said she had always aspired to become a globally recognized dancer, actor, performer and entrepreneur. While she eventually achieved many of those ambitions, she realized after years of working continuously that she had built a successful career without creating enough space for life beyond work.
“I had always dreamed of going to acting school in New York, and I knew there were other parts of myself and my life I needed to explore. It takes tremendous faith in yourself to walk away when everything is going well, to trust that what you've built will still be there and that you can come back as an even more evolved version of yourself,” she said.
Lauren added that people should have the courage to follow their instincts when they feel drawn toward a new direction.
“When your heart is pulling you toward something, you have to be brave enough to listen. What's meant for you isn't going to disappear just because you took the time to grow,” she said.
Explaining why she supported Apoorva's decision, Lauren said she was particularly impressed by the way the social media personality had articulated her reasons for making the move.
“So many people can relate to knowing there's more of yourself, and more of life, you want to explore. It takes courage to actually follow that instinct, and I give her two very big thumbs up for trusting herself and going for it,” Lauren said.
Lauren began her acting career in 2013 and later emerged as the runner-up on the sixth season of Jaalak Dikhhla Jaaalongside choreographer Punit Pathak. She also served as a judge on the show's eighth season.
She made her Punjabi film debut with Ambarsariya in 2016 and was last seen in the 2025 film Single Salmastarring Huma Qureshi, Sunny Singh and Shreyas Talpade.