In a stunning and courageous decision, 24-year-old Milla Magee, who held the title of Miss England, has withdrawn from the Miss World pageant being hosted in Hyderabad, India. The lifeguard-turned-beauty-queen from Cornwall cited feelings of exploitation and moral discomfort, stating the event made her “feel like a prostitute.” Magee is the first Miss England in the 74-year history of the pageant to step down mid-contest.
From Glamour to Disillusionment
Initially, Magee told organisers and media that she left due to “personal reasons.” However, in a candid interview with The Sun, she opened up about her experience, revealing her deep disillusionment with the pageant. She criticised the event as “outdated” and “stuck in the past,” expressing her disappointment with how the contestants were treated.
“We Were Treated Like Performing Monkeys”
Magee painted a disturbing picture of how the contestants were allegedly paraded in front of wealthy male sponsors. Dressed in heavy makeup and evening gowns from morning till night, contestants were expected to charm the backers of the pageant. “We had to sit like performing monkeys,” she said, recalling being placed two girls per table to entertain a group of six male guests during evening galas.
Milla spoke out about the internal conflict she experienced, stating, “I couldn’t stand it. I went there to make a difference, not to be farmed out for people’s entertainment.” She also recounted a moment where she tried to speak about her advocacy causes but was met with disinterest from the guests, reinforcing her decision to step away.
Angie Beasley, the director of Miss England, released a statement saying, “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.”
Final Straw: Lack of Respect and Unchanging Values
According to Magee, a pageant official scolded the 109 finalists for being “boring,” treating them as though they were schoolchildren rather than adult women. For her, it was a sign of how little respect was afforded to the participants.
Though Magee was considered a history-making participant as the first plus-size Miss England at Miss World and had even received backing from Prince William, she said, “All the crowns and sashes in the world mean nothing compared to using your voice and making a difference in the world.”
With Magee’s departure, Miss England’s runner-up, Charlotte Grant (25), also known as Miss Liverpool, will now represent the country in the final, which will be broadcast across 180 countries.
Magee’s walkout has reignited the debate on whether traditional beauty pageants have a place in today’s world. Her experience underscores the urgent need for these events to evolve beyond superficial standards and genuinely empower women.
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