In a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples through the international beauty pageant community, Miss England 2024 Milla Magee has become the first British titleholder to withdraw from the Miss World competition in the contest’s 74-year history, citing what she described as exploitative and degrading treatment by organizers.
The 24-year-old lifeguard and CPR instructor from Newquay, Cornwall, who was representing the United Kingdom at the prestigious pageant currently being held in Telangana, Hyderabad, made her dramatic exit on May 16, 2025, leaving behind a competition that features 109 contestants from around the globe.
“I felt like a prostitute”
In a devastating statement that has sparked international debate about the treatment of contestants in beauty pageants, Magee revealed the circumstances that led to her unprecedented decision to abandon the competition.
“It’s stuck in the past. Morally I couldn’t be a part of it,” Magee declared, describing her experience as deeply troubling and exploitative.
The former beauty queen went further, stating that she “felt like a prostitute” and was “farmed out for entertainment” by the pageant organizers, painting a disturbing picture of what transpired behind the scenes of one of the world’s most watched beauty competitions.
Paraded before wealthy sponsors
According to Magee’s account, contestants were required to parade in front of wealthy male sponsors in what she characterized as a demeaning spectacle that ultimately drove her to take a stand for her dignity and self-respect.
“I went there to make a difference, but we had to sit like performing monkeys,” Magee was quoted as saying during her exit from the competition.
The surf enthusiast, who has gained recognition for her lifesaving skills and CPR training advocacy, described the pageant as fundamentally “outdated” and criticized organizers for their treatment of contestants, some of whom were allegedly dismissed as “boring” by officials.
Historic first in British pageant history
Magee’s withdrawal marks a significant moment in Miss World history, as she becomes the first Miss England titleholder to quit the competition since its inception. Her decision has raised serious questions about the treatment of contestants and the relevance of traditional beauty pageants in contemporary society.
The pageant organizers have since replaced Magee with another representative from the United Kingdom to continue in the competition, though the controversy surrounding her departure continues to generate headlines worldwide.
A voice for change
Known for her work as a lifeguard and her dedication to teaching life-saving techniques, Magee’s decision to speak out against what she perceived as exploitation has positioned her as an unlikely advocate for reform within the beauty pageant industry.
Her bold stance has reignited discussions about the evolution of beauty competitions and whether traditional formats align with modern values of dignity, respect, and women’s empowerment.
The Miss World organization has not yet issued a comprehensive response to Magee’s allegations, though the controversy is expected to have lasting implications for how international beauty pageants operate and treat their contestants moving forward.
As the competition continues in Hyderabad without the British representative who captured global attention through her courageous stand, Magee’s actions may well prove to be a watershed moment in the ongoing evolution of the beauty pageant industry.
