Brazilian digital influencer Larissa has responded after her photograph was cited in a voter fraud allegation raised by Rahul Gandhi in Haryana. Gandhi claimed her image appeared at multiple polling booths as part of alleged “vote‑chori” (vote theft).
In social media videos, Larissa clarified that the photo is an old stock image from her early modelling days and that she has no connection to Indian politics. “I have absolutely nothing to do with politics in India. My photo was purchased from a stock image platform and used without my involvement. I’ve never even been to India,” she said.
Larissa, now running a salon in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, revealed that her Instagram flooded with comments from Indian users after the image went viral.
“Welcome, my Indian followers! People were commenting on my photos as if I was elected. Just to be clear, it wasn’t me, it was only my photo,” she said, adding her appreciation: “I don’t know your language, but I am genuinely grateful for all the kindness and support.”
Adding humour, she noted she never thought she looked Indian: “I thought I looked Mexican.” She also mentioned that Indian journalists had been contacting her for interviews: “A bunch of Indian journalists are looking for me, wanting interviews. I’ve responded, saying that I’m the so-called ‘mysterious Brazilian model’ – but I’m not even a model.”
Looking ahead, Larissa said she plans to learn some Indian words to engage with her new audience: “I only know ‘Namaste’ so far, but I’ll learn a few more and use them in my next video – soon, I’ll be famous in India.”
