"I Prefer Diamonds" — Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen Claps Back At Gold Digger Claims

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Known famously as the first Indian woman to be crowned Miss Universe, 46-year-old Sushmita Sen has had a lengthy career in Indian cinema, fashion, and philanthropy ever since her win.

But as of recent, Sen became victim to trolls residing on the Internet, when her now boyfriend, 58-year-old Lalit Modi, officially announced their relationship via an Instagram post.

Modi himself is not new to controversy, after being exiled from India when he was accused of financial discrepancies by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about a decade ago. The founder of the world's richest cricket competition has been residing in London since the claim.

Among other things, Modi's caption read, "Just back in [London] after a whirling global tour [of Maldives and Sardinia] with the families - not to mention my better looking partner [Sushmita Sen] - a new beginning a new life finally."

The first picture of the post featured Modi himself, Sen, and his late wife, in what was a throwback photo. Modi, who had been married to his late wife, Minal Modi, for almost 30 years lost her in 2018 after her bout with cancer. Reading into the caption, it seemed as though his signal towards a new beginning with Sen was long awaited, and that he was happy to finally be embarking on a new romantic journey.

Almost immediately after the post was released, a slew of congratulatory wishes filled the comments. But while some were happy for the couple and bid them all the best for their relationship, others chose to leave frightfully nasty comments, even going as far as to call Sen a 'gold digger'.

Donning a one-piece swimsuit while sitting at the edge of an infinity pool, Sen's introduction of the post read, "Perfectly centred in my being & my conscience."

"It's heartbreaking to see just how miserable & unhappy the world around us is becoming....", wrote Sen in the post.

Getting real with many of the comments that had been thrown her way, Sen continued, "The so called intellectuals with their idiosyncrasies….the ignorant with their cheap & at times funny gossip... The friends I never had & the acquaintances I've never met….all sharing their grand opinions & deep knowledge of my life & character…monetising the ‘Gold Digger’ all the way!!!"

Keeping it cool, calm, and collected, Sen couldn't help but use her wit, humour, and charm to continue her post, "I dig deeper than Gold…and I've always (famously) preferred Diamonds!! And yes I still buy them myself!!!"

(Pause for the mic drop) ;D

Firmly standing her ground and being classy all the way through it, Sen ended her caption thanking all of those who've wished her and her relationship well.

Her post was met with immense positivity, with other celebrities reaching out to her in the comments to uplift and support her. Former Miss World and Hollywood actress, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, also commented under the post in support of Sen.

Many media platforms came to Sen's defence, with SheThePeople releasing a piece titled "The Problematic Culture Of Calling Women Gold Diggers", that was met by a heart, hug, and thumbs up emoji by the former Miss Universe on Twitter.

Other publications did not go unnoticed as well, with Vogue India, The Indian Express, and Bombay Times all coming out in support of Sen's post.

"I guess we are still living in the [middle ages]," Modi stated, among other things.

He even went on to change his Instagram bio, writing, "[Finally] starting a new life with my partner in crime. My love, [Sushmita Sen]."