In a shocking turn of events in the world of beauty pageants, Milla Magee, the reigning Miss England 2024, has abruptly withdrawn from the Miss World 2025 competition held in Hyderabad, India. The 24-year-old, who is also a lifeguard and public health advocate through her “Go Far With CPR” campaign, said the environment made her feel “like a prostitute.”
According to multiple media sources, Magee complained that the competition was outdated and that she was forced to appear glamorous at all times – even during breakfast. She further revealed that she felt used as entertainment for the pageant’s sponsors, most of whom were wealthy men. “I felt like I was entertaining rich men in a way that lacked integrity,” Magee said.
The Miss World pageant has long promoted itself with the slogan “Beauty With A Purpose,” but for Magee, what she experienced was far from that philosophy. She expected a platform focused on social impact, but instead found herself being pushed to prioritize beauty and external appearance above all else.
The government of Telangana, India – where the event is taking place – has launched an investigation into the allegations, while Miss World organizers have denied the accusations, calling them misleading.
Magee has since returned to the UK, and her place in the competition has been taken by Charlotte Grant, who was the runner-up in the Miss England contest.
Milla Magee’s withdrawal from Miss World 2025 has reignited the conversation around the future of global beauty pageants. Is it time for these institutions to evolve and genuinely uphold the values of dignity and purpose for their contestants? While Magee returns home disappointed, her voice may serve as a catalyst for change in how such pageants operate in the future.
