Miss World Organisation Responds to Milla Magee’s Allegations, Releases Contradictory Video Evidence
Hyderabad, India – May 24, 2025: The Miss World Organisation has issued a statement addressing recent claims by Miss England 2024, Milla Magee, who withdrew from the 72nd Miss World Festival in Hyderabad, India, and alleged she was made to feel “like a prostitute” during the event. The organisation refutes these claims, citing a family emergency as the true reason for her departure and releasing video evidence to counter her statements.
In an official statement, Julia Morley CBE, Chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation, clarified that Magee, 24, requested to leave the competition earlier this month due to a family emergency involving her mother’s health. Morley, emphasizing compassion, promptly arranged Magee’s return to England, prioritizing her well-being. Following her exit, Charlotte Grant, the first runner-up of Miss England, arrived in Hyderabad on May 21, 2025, to represent England and has been warmly welcomed by the Miss World community.
Magee, a lifeguard and plus-size advocate from Newquay, Cornwall, initially cited “personal reasons” for her withdrawal on May 16, 2025, after arriving in Hyderabad on May 7. However, in an interview with The Sun, she alleged that contestants were objectified, pressured to entertain wealthy male sponsors, and expected to wear heavy makeup and ball gowns at all times, even during breakfast. She described the pageant as “outdated” and claimed it conflicted with her moral values, stating, “I went there to make a difference, but we had to sit like performing monkeys.”
The Miss World Organisation has strongly denied these allegations, calling them “false and defamatory.” To counter Magee’s claims, the organisation announced it is releasing unedited videos recorded during her time in India, in which she reportedly expresses gratitude, joy, and appreciation for the experience. These videos, according to the statement, directly contradict the narrative presented in recent UK media reports.
“Miss World remains committed to truth, dignity, and the values of Beauty With a Purpose,” Morley stated. “We urge media outlets to uphold journalistic integrity and verify their sources before publishing misleading content.”
Magee’s withdrawal marks the first time in the pageant’s 74-year history that a Miss England contestant has exited mid-competition. Her allegations have sparked widespread debate about the ethics and relevance of beauty pageants, amplified by her advocacy for CPR awareness and environmental causes, which had received support from Prince William. Meanwhile, the Miss World 2025 finale is set to take place at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad on May 31, 2025, with Charlotte Grant representing England.
The controversy has also drawn attention in Telangana, where the Congress-led government has faced criticism from opposition parties, particularly the BRS, for hosting the event. The pageant, intended to boost tourism with the tagline “Telangana Zaroor Aana,” has been overshadowed by Magee’s allegations and a prior incident involving local women washing contestants’ feet at Ramappa Temple, which was widely condemned as exploitative.
The Miss World Organisation has called for a focus on the pageant’s mission of cultural exchange and empowerment, urging the public to await the release of the video evidence to clarify Magee’s experience. A joint statement from the Miss World team and Indian organizers is expected following a meeting scheduled for May 25, 2025.
