In a surprising and candid move, Milla Magee, 24, who was representing the United Kingdom at the ongoing Miss World pageant in India, has withdrawn from the competition, accusing the organisers of exploiting contestants and perpetuating outdated practices.
Magee, who was crowned Miss England in 2023, shared her reasons in an exclusive interview with The Sun, stating she felt morally compelled to step away from the pageant held in Hyderabad. Her decision comes just days ahead of the event’s grand finale, which is set to be broadcast in over 180 countries.
“I Felt Like a Performing Monkey”
Speaking about her experience, Magee described the environment as regressive and exploitative. “I went there to make a difference, but we had to sit like performing monkeys,” she said. “It’s stuck in the past. Morally, I couldn’t be a part of it.”
She recounted feeling deeply uncomfortable with the way contestants were expected to interact with guests during official events. “There were two girls to each table of six guests. We were expected to sit with them the whole evening and entertain them as a thank you,” she explained. “It felt incredibly wrong. I didn’t come here to be farmed out for people’s entertainment.”
“They Made Me Feel Like a Prostitute”
Magee went further, saying the nature of interactions at these events crossed a line. “At one point I tried to talk about the causes I was supporting, but it was obvious the men at the table weren’t interested. Instead, there was weird small talk that left me feeling uncomfortable,” she said. “They made me feel like a prostitute.”
Magee emphasized that her original motivation to participate in the pageant was to use her platform to advocate for change and inspire young people, but she soon realized the format no longer aligned with her values. “All the crowns and sashes in the world mean nothing compared to using your voice and making a difference,” she said.
Replacement Announced
Following her exit, Charlotte Grant, 25, the runner-up in the Miss England competition, has stepped in to represent the UK at the Miss World finale.
The organisers of the Miss World pageant have not issued a public response to Magee’s claims as of the time of reporting.
Magee’s departure has reignited debate around the relevance and ethical standing of global beauty pageants, with many questioning whether such competitions can evolve to meet modern expectations of empowerment and representation.