Miss England 2024, Milla Magee, has withdrawn from the ongoing Miss World 2025 pageant currently being held in Telangana, India, citing personal and ethical concerns. The 24-year-old departed from Hyderabad on May 16, cutting short her participation just nine days after arriving in the host city on May 7.
Magee’s unexpected exit has stirred significant media attention and sparked debate over the internal workings of international beauty pageants. In her absence, Charlotte Grant, the first runner-up in the Miss England competition, has flown to India to represent the nation for the remainder of the pageant.
The Miss World Organization confirmed the replacement, stating that England’s representation at the global event will continue uninterrupted.
In a candid interview with The Sun, Magee revealed her growing discomfort with what she described as the pageant’s “outdated and unrealistic expectations.” She said her values around the pageant’s motto—beauty with a purpose—were not reflected in her experience at Miss World.
Miss England 2024 Milla Magee Withdraws from Miss World 2025 in India
According to The Sun, contestants were reportedly required to wear makeup at all times and remain in ball gowns throughout the day, including during meals. The publication also claimed that a tipping point for Magee was an alleged directive for contestants to socialize with middle-aged male sponsors as a form of gratitude for their financial support of the event.
“These practices made me question the environment I was in,” Magee reportedly said. “It no longer felt like a platform that empowered women.”
In response, Julia Morley, Chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation, issued an official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding Magee’s departure. According to Morley, Magee had initially cited a personal family emergency—specifically concerning her mother’s health—as the reason for her early exit.
“We responded to Milla’s situation with compassion and immediately arranged her return to England, placing the well-being of the contestant and her family first,” Morley said.
Read This Also: 5 Global hit songs you didn’t know were created by Ghanaians
However, the organisation has also strongly refuted the claims circulated in British media, describing them as “false and defamatory.”
“Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that certain UK media outlets have published misleading accounts, allegedly attributed to Milla Magee, that do not reflect the reality of her experience in India or at the Miss World pageant,” the statement continued.
The controversy has ignited conversations around the ethics and evolving standards of global beauty competitions, with many calling for greater transparency, contestant autonomy, and alignment with modern values of empowerment and authenticity.
As the Miss World 2025 pageant progresses in Telangana, questions remain about how such events balance tradition with reform in an era increasingly defined by inclusivity and ethical scrutiny.
