Miss England Quits Miss World 2025 Over Ethical Concerns

Hyderabad – Milla Magee, the reigning Miss England, has withdrawn from the Miss World 2025 pageant being held in Hyderabad, citing serious ethical concerns and a sense of exploitation. The 24-year-old lifeguard from Newquay, Cornwall, became the first contestant in the pageant’s 74-year history to step down mid-competition.

Initially, Magee’s exit was attributed to a family emergency, but in an exclusive interview with The Sun, she revealed deeper dissatisfaction. She described the experience as degrading, saying she felt objectified and likened the treatment of contestants to being “farmed out for entertainment.” Magee criticised the requirement for contestants to wear full makeup and formal clothing all day and to interact with wealthy sponsors during events.

“I went there to make a difference,” she said. “But we had to sit like performing monkeys. I didn’t come here to be paraded around.” Magee, a campaigner for CPR awareness and a body positivity advocate supported by Prince William, said her attempts to promote her causes were ignored, while superficial conversations and disrespect from organisers left her disillusioned.

Her remarks sparked renewed debate about the relevance and ethics of beauty pageants in the modern world. She labelled the event as “outdated” and said that some contestants were dismissed as “boring” when they failed to meet certain expectations.

In response, the Miss World Organisation released a statement refuting Magee’s claims. They said she had requested to leave due to her mother’s health issues and that her departure was handled with compassion. Julia Morley CBE, Chairwoman of Miss World, said the organisation would release videos of Magee expressing joy during her stay to counter the negative reports.

Charlotte Grant, Miss England’s first runner-up, has since taken Magee’s place in the competition. The Miss World Organisation reaffirmed its commitment to its motto “Beauty With a Purpose” and urged media outlets to report responsibly.