Miss England Walks Out of Miss World, Citing Exploitation
Miss England, Milla Magee, made a stunning exit from the Miss World competition in Hyderabad, India, becoming the first contestant in the pageant’s 74-year history to walk away. Magee left on May 16, alleging she felt exploited and disrespected by pageant officials.
The Spark That Ignited the Controversy
Magee told The Sun that the final straw came when contestants were asked to entertain sponsors at a dinner. “There were two girls at each table of six guests. We were expected to sit with them for the whole evening and entertain them as a thank you,” she said. “I remember thinking, ‘This is so wrong’. They made me feel like a prostitute.”
Government Investigation and Differing Accounts
A preliminary investigation by the Telangana government, involving interviews with other contestants, suggests that Magee’s allegations are unfounded. An IAS officer involved in the inquiry told The News Minute that they are doubtful of the allegations, especially since they were made to The Sun, a tabloid, rather than reputable UK newspapers.
The government’s inquiry, however, noted that Miss Wales, who was seated with Magee, did not raise any complaints about the seating arrangement.
Magee’s Perspective: Feeling Exploited and Disrespected
Magee, a 24-year-old lifeguard from Cornwall, described feeling “farmed out for entertainment” and compared the experience to being treated like a “performing monkey.” She had hoped to use the platform to champion her CPR awareness campaign but felt the pageant environment conflicted with her values.
Magee also alleged being publicly reprimanded by a pageant official in a disrespectful manner. “She clapped her hands right in my face to get my attention. It was so disrespectful, like she was addressing children rather than a coach full of adult women,” she stated.
Miss World Organization’s Response: Family Emergency and Defamation
The Miss World Organisation vehemently denies the accusations, attributing Magee’s departure to a “family emergency involving her mother’s health.” Julia Morley, Chairwoman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation, said in a statement:
“We 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.”
Morley also labeled the allegations published in UK media as “false and defamatory,” noting that unedited videos from Magee’s time in India would be released to refute the claims. “These claims are completely unfounded and inconsistent with the reality of her time with us,” the official statement said.
Controversy Continues: Videos Fuel Debate
Despite the denials, BRS leader Krishank shared videos from a dinner hosted by the pageant that show contestants seated with mostly men. One man can be seen taking pictures of the two contestants at his table.
Onward with the Competition
First runner-up Charlotte Grant has taken Magee’s place to represent England at the ongoing Miss World final, which will be live-streamed in over 180 countries on May 31.
This is the first time Hyderabad is hosting Miss World, in the event’s 72nd edition. The previous 2023 edition was held in Mumbai, India, and Bengaluru hosted the pageant in 1996.
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