Indian model Poonam Pandey has faced online backlash after admitting she faked her death in an Instagram post as part of a cervical cancer awareness campaign.
Pandey’s social media on Friday claimed she had “bravely fought” cervical cancer before passing away, sparking a wave of obituaries from media outlets, updates to her Wikipedia page, and tributes from Bollywood stars. However, critics quickly questioned the announcement after noticing footage of Pandey in Goa, posted just days earlier, showing her in good health.
On Saturday, the 32-year-old revealed to her 1.3 million followers that her death was a hoax. “Yes, I faked my demise, extreme I know, but now we’re all talking about cervical cancer, aren’t we?” she said, expressing pride in the awareness her stunt had generated.
Despite her intentions, many condemned Pandey’s actions, labeling them as “attention-seeking” and “manipulative.” One commenter noted, “Next time, no one will take your real death seriously.”
Pandey, known for her provocative stunts, has been a controversial figure since her rise to fame in 2010. In 2011, she gained attention by promising to strip if the Indian cricket team won the World Cup, later releasing a video of her undressing at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium after their victory.
Cervical cancer remains a major health concern in India, which accounts for nearly a quarter of global cases. Health advocates are pushing for a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign to combat the disease, which claims over 200 lives daily in the country.
Pandey’s Instagram post also featured a clip of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman discussing government support for cervical cancer vaccination in the 2024 budget.
