- Miss England quits Miss World pageant, citing disrespect and outdated treatment by organizers in India – ‘feeling like a prostitute’. The news of a Miss World contestant quitting received significant attention.
- Contestants were forced to entertain businessmen and wear uncomfortable gowns all day. This pressure led to a Miss World contestant quitting the pageant.
- Magee advocates replacing the swimwear round with life-saving skill challenges like CPR. Her proposal came after she quit as a contestant in the Miss World competition.
Milla Magee, 24, made history by becoming the first Miss England to quit the Miss World contest in its 74-year history. She left the competition after a troubling experience in India. Magee said the organizers treated her and other contestants poorly. She felt used for entertainment instead of being respected as a contestant. Her decision that the Miss World contestant quits shocked many and sparked discussions about how beauty pageants treat their participants.
Contestants Forced to Wear Ball Gowns All Day, Even at Breakfast
During a May 7 event in Hyderabad, Magee described how all the Miss World contestants had to wear heavy ball gowns throughout the day. They even wore these formal dresses during breakfast. The gowns made them uncomfortable and tired. Magee said this rule showed how outdated the pageant’s standards were and was part of why a Miss World contestant quits. She felt the contestants did not get enough freedom to be comfortable or themselves.
Contestants Made to Entertain Wealthy Businessmen as a “Thank You”
Magee’s breaking point came when organizers asked contestants to sit and entertain groups of middle-aged businessmen who invested in the show. These meetings lasted all evening. Magee said the organizers expected the women to keep the businessmen company as a “thank you” for their money. She found this humiliating and unfair. Magee said, “I didn’t come here to be farmed out for people’s entertainment. This contributed to the Miss World contestant quitting.”
Feeling Like a Prostitute, Not a Pageant Contestant
Magee spoke honestly about how this treatment made her feel. She said the experience reminded her of being treated like a prostitute. This shocked many because the Miss World pageant usually promotes strong values. Magee criticized the contest for being outdated and stuck in old traditions that disrespect women, compelling the Miss World contestant to quit. She wanted the pageant to change and treat contestants with real dignity.
Attempts to Talk About Causes Fell on Deaf Ears
Magee said she tried to discuss the charitable causes she supports during these dinners. However, the businessmen showed no interest. Instead, they forced awkward small talk that made her uncomfortable, which played a role in the Miss World contestant quitting. Magee described feeling like a “performing monkey” whose only job was to please the guests. This lack of respect made her even more determined to leave the contest.
Organizers Showed Disrespect to Contestants, According to Magee
Magee also revealed that organizers treated contestants harshly. She described an incident where a pageant official clapped her hands right in Magee’s face to get her attention. Magee felt this was extremely disrespectful. She said the official behaved like she was talking to children, not grown women, which added to why the Miss World contestant quits. This kind of treatment added to Magee’s decision to quit.
Magee Leaves Contest and Returns Home to the UK
On May 16, Magee officially quit the Miss World pageant. She flew back home to Cornwall, England. Her departure allowed the runner-up, Charlotte Grant, 25, who holds the title Miss Liverpool, to take her place in the contest. Magee’s exit marked a rare and bold move in the world of international beauty competitions, illustrating a Miss World contestant quits due to poor treatment.
Magee Pushes to Remove Swimwear Round, Promote Life-Saving Skills
Magee has long spoken out about modernizing beauty contests. She called for the swimwear round to be removed. Instead, she wanted the competition to judge contestants on life-saving skills like CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Her insights gained attention after a Miss World contestant quits the pageant. Magee believes these skills show real strength and value. She hopes pageants will shift their focus toward important abilities, not just appearances.
Lifeguard and CPR Advocate Motivated by Family Tragedy
Magee works as a trained lifeguard. She strongly supports CPR education because of a personal family tragedy. During an emergency, her family could not save a loved one because no one knew CPR. This experience inspired Magee to teach others how to save lives. She hopes this message will reach many people through her platform, especially after news of the Miss World contestant quitting spread.
Miss England Director Fully Supports Magee’s Decision to Leave
Angie Beasley, the director of Miss England, announced Magee’s withdrawal from the pageant. She said Magee left due to personal reasons. Beasley made it clear that the organization supports Magee’s choice. She stressed that health and well-being always come first. Beasley’s statement showed respect for Magee’s courage and honesty, recognizing a Miss World contestant quits for a valid reason.
