Sashes, Secrets, and Standing Up: Miss England’s Miss World Exit Makes Waves

The Miss World 2025 pageant in Hyderabad has been caught in scandal after Milla Magee, the Miss England contestant, announced she is quitting and publicly denounced the event as “old-fashioned” and described the contestants as being exploited. 

 

Magee, 24, a lifeguard and plus-size advocate from Cornwall, is the first Miss England in the 74 years of the pageant's history to withdraw during the pageant. During an interview, Magee said that she felt “like a prostitute” after being asked to walk in front of rich male sponsors, wearing evening gowns and makeup all day, and "sit like performing monkeys" for rich guests. "We were paired with two girls each table of six men, you were expected to sit with them for the whole evening and entertain them," she said, adding, "It felt so wrong." 

 

Magee entered the contest advocating for causes like CPR awareness, but realized quickly the pageant was "stuck in the past" and only focused on looks. "All the crowns and sashes in the world mean nothing compared to using your voice to make a real difference," she said.

 

The pageant organizers and Telangana officials disputed Magee in saying that their claims are “exaggerated” and “baseless,” and that "there was never any inappropriate behaviour, everything was above board, and all the events were officially sanctioned." Magee has also caused broad discussion about the ethics and relevance of an international beauty contest.

 

Miss England's runner-up, Charlotte Grant, will now represent England in the Miss World finals, which will be broadcast globally next week.

 

Source: Siasat Daily