Miss England Milla Magee slams Miss World Pageant; calls it ‘outdated’ and leaves India

New Delhi (India) May 25: The present Miss England 2024, Milla Magee has gained attention for her decision to withdraw from the Miss World competition, which is presently being held in Telangana, India 

Milla Magee, the United Kingdom's candidate in the current Miss World competition has made the decision to leave for personal reasons. In the 74-year history of pageants, this was the first Miss England winner to resign.

Magee claims that she was being put into situations where she felt objectified and disregarded. She compared the experience to being "farmed out for entertainment" and stated that competitors were expected to parade in front of rich male sponsors. She also said in a statement that "I felt like a prostitute.”

Milla said that after being forced to march in front of wealthy male sponsors, she stood up for herself and her honour. She stated clearly that the show is "outdated," and a few of the 109 contestants were criticized for being "boring."

She also said, "I went there to make a difference, but we had to sit like performing monkeys."

Her exit has raised questions about the ethics and relevance of modern beauty pageants, particularly in the way competitors are shown and handled.

The Director of Miss England Organisation Angie Beasley said, “We regret to announce that Milla Magee has returned home to the UK due to personal reasons. We stand fully by her decision – health must always come first.”

Miss England's first runner-up, Charlotte Grant, stepped in to represent her nation. She has been welcomed into the Miss World sisterhood since her arrival in India.

The Miss World Organization is making public uncut films of Milla's time in India in which she is seen expressing her happiness, gratitude, and appreciation for the opportunity. These recordings directly contradict her latest claims.

According to Chairwoman of Miss World Julia Morley, Magee's remarks on her time in India are "false and defamatory."

Morley said, “These claims are completely unfounded and inconsistent with the reality of her time with us.”

The Miss World Organisation officials said,

“Earlier this month, Milla Magee requested to leave the competition due to a reported family emergency involving her mother’s health. As a mother and grandmother herself, Julia Morley CBE, Chairwoman of Miss World, responded to Milla’s situation with compassion and immediately arranged her return to England, placing the well-being of the contestant and her family first.” 

In Hyderabad, the Miss World 2025 competition began with a lavish ceremony on May 10 and will run through May 31.

Aadrika Tayal