Miss World Organisation denies exploitation claims after Miss England’s withdrawal in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The Miss World Organisation has issued a formal statement addressing allegations made by Miss England 2025, Milla Magee, following her withdrawal from the 72nd Miss World Festival currently being held in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Julia Morley CBE, Chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation, confirmed that Magee requested to leave the competition earlier this month due to a reported family emergency involving her mother’s health. “As a mother and grandmother, I 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,” said Julia Morley.

In recent media coverage, Magee alleged mistreatment during her time at the pageant, including being pressured to entertain male sponsors and being subjected to outdated beauty standards. She described feeling exploited and morally conflicted, claiming the event focused more on appearance than substance.

In response, the Miss World Organisation has strongly denied the claims, calling them “false and defamatory.” The organisation stated that these accusations are inconsistent with Magee’s documented experience during her stay in India. To counter the allegations, Miss World has announced the release of unedited video footage showing Magee during her time at the competition, where she is seen expressing gratitude and appreciation. “These videos show her own words and sentiments and directly contradict the recent false narratives,” the statement said.

The organisation also criticised certain UK media outlets for publishing what it described as unverified and misleading content. “Miss World remains committed to truth, dignity, and the values of Beauty With a Purpose. We urge media outlets to uphold journalistic integrity and verify their sources,” Morley added.

Following Magee’s departure, first runner-up Charlotte Grant, Miss Liverpool, arrived in India to represent England in the ongoing competition. She has since joined the other contestants and was officially welcomed by Telangana state officials.