Hyderabad: Milla Magee, the 24-year-old lifeguard and surfer from Newquay, Cornwall, crowned Miss England 2024, has made headlines by withdrawing from the Miss World 2025 pageant held in Telangana, India. Magee cited personal and ethical concerns, describing the pageant’s environment as exploitative and misaligned with its motto, “Beauty with a Purpose.” Her dramatic exit marks her as the first Miss England in the competition’s 74-year history to resign mid-event, sparking global debate about the treatment of contestants in high-profile beauty pageants.
Magee, who initially joined the pageant hoping to make a positive impact, revealed to British tabloid The Sun that contestants were subjected to intense pressure to maintain a hyper-glamorous appearance at all times. “We were ordered to wear heavy make-up and evening gowns from morning to night, even at breakfast,” she said. She accused organizers of parading contestants at events to “charm deep-pocketed backers,” leaving her feeling “like a prostitute” and disrespected as an adult woman. In an emotional call to her mother, Magee expressed distress, stating she and other contestants felt exploited. On May 16, she informed organizers of her decision to leave.
The Miss World Organisation confirmed Magee’s withdrawal, and Charlotte Grant, the Miss England runner-up, swiftly arrived in Hyderabad to take her place, ensuring England’s continued representation. The organization has not publicly responded to Magee’s allegations, but her departure has ignited discussions on social media, with some praising her courage and others questioning the pageant’s practices.
Magee’s decision follows her earlier advocacy for environmental causes, notably her frustration with sewage pollution off Cornwall’s coast, which disrupted her training for the pageant. Her bold stance has drawn support from former beauty queens like Melisa Raouf, who competed make-up-free in Miss England 2022 to promote natural beauty.
As the Miss World 2025 pageant continues, Magee’s exit raises critical questions about the ethics of beauty competitions and the treatment of participants. Her story underscores a growing call for reform in an industry often criticized for prioritizing appearance over substance, leaving many to wonder if her withdrawal will prompt meaningful change.
