Hyderabad: The Miss World 2025 pageant, hosted at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, India, has been marred by controversy following the sudden withdrawal of Miss England, Milla Magee. The 24-year-old contestant left the competition on May 16, citing ethical concerns and alleging she was treated in a manner that made her feel “like a prostitute.” Her exit has sparked global outrage and raised questions about the pageant’s organization and Indian hospitality.
Magee, in an exclusive interview with The Sun, claimed contestants were subjected to superficial treatment, forced to wear makeup constantly, and required to wear ball gowns even during meals. She further alleged that participants were asked to socialize with wealthy male sponsors, describing the experience as exploitative and outdated. “I went there to make a difference, but we had to sit like performing monkeys,” she said, expressing moral conflict with the pageant’s practices.
Her departure followed an earlier controversy where local women washed contestants’ feet at Ramappa Temple, a ritual criticized as a “colonial hangover.” Magee did not explicitly mention being hurt by Indian hospitality but highlighted a lack of respect toward contestants, which she felt clashed with the pageant’s “Beauty with a Purpose” ethos. Her comments have stirred debate about Indian cultural practices, with some interpreting them as insensitive to the host country’s traditions, potentially impacting Indian sentiments.
The Miss World Organisation, led by Julia Morley, refuted Magee’s claims, stating she left due to a family emergency and that her allegations were “unfounded.” Charlotte Grant, the Miss England runner-up, has replaced Magee. Telangana minister KT Rama Rao demanded a probe into the allegations, emphasizing the need for transparency. As the pageant continues toward its May 31 finale, the controversy underscores tensions between modern ethics and traditional pageant formats.
