Miss England has sensationally quit the Miss World beauty pageant after she was left ‘feeling like a prostitute’.
Milla Magee, 24, a lifeguard from Newquay, Cornwall, had initially blamed her abrupt departure from the pageant in Hyderabad, India, on ‘personal reasons’.
But now the truth behind her exit has been revealed – and it paints a disturbing picture of a pageant she claims is ‘outdated’ and ‘stuck in the past’.
The history-making beauty – the first Miss England in the competition’s 74-year history to resign – said she had gone in with hopes of making a difference.
‘I went there to make a difference but we had to sit like performing monkeys,’ she told The Sun, accusing organisers of turning her into little more than eye candy for wealthy male sponsors.
Milla revealed contestants were ordered to doll up in heavy make-up and evening gowns from morning to night – even at breakfast – and were paraded at events purely to charm deep-pocketed backers.
She said the experience made her feel ‘like a prostitute’ who was being ‘farmed out for entertainment’.
Milla had flown to Hyderabad on May 7 for publicity events for the competition’s final, but quickly realised she was only there to be stared at.
Miss England (pictured) has sensationally quit the Miss World beauty pageant after she was left ‘feeling like a prostitute’
Milla Magee, 24, a lifeguard from Newquay, Cornwall, made headlines after her abrupt departure from the pageant in Hyderabad, India , was initially blamed on ‘personal reasons’
Milla revealed contestants were ordered to doll up in heavy make-up and evening gowns from morning to night – even at breakfast – and were paraded at events purely to charm deep-pocketed backers
The history-making beauty – the first Miss England in the competition’s 74-year history to resign – said she had gone in with hopes of making a difference
The final straw, she said, was when she was made to sit with another woman with groups of middle-aged male guests while ‘thanking them’ for their money.
She revealed she as expected to sit with them for the entire evening and entertain them. Milla said she thought it was ‘unbelievable’ and ‘wrong’ and she was left feeling uncomfortable in the situation.
Milla claimed attempts to speak about her humanitarian campaigns were met with blank stares and awkward small talk. She claimed one man even labelled her as ‘boring’ following the event.
During one interaction, Milla said the women were scolded for not being lively enough with an official allegedly clapping in her face to get her attention.
She told the newspaper she felt as if the official had been addressing children instead of a group of adult women, leaving her feeling disrespected.
Unable to cope with the chaos, Milla rang her mum in tears, saying she and other contestants were being exploited, before finally informing organisers on May 16 that she was walking away.
She immediately flew back to the UK, leaving her crown and the controversial competition behind.
Her spot at the upcoming final – set to be broadcast in over 180 countries – will now be filled by Miss England runner-up Charlotte Grant, 25, the current Miss Liverpool.
Milla, who made history last year as Miss England’s first plus-size winner, had been proudly campaigning for better CPR education through her ‘Go Far With CPR’ initiative, which as received backing from the Prince of Wales.
She had hoped the Miss World platform would amplify her advocacy.
But instead, she said she found an event frozen in time that ‘hasn’t changed from the 1960s and ’70s’ and that has little regard for modern values.
Milla said she felt pressure to conform and that it was made clear if she didn’t, she was not going to win the pageant.
‘I couldn’t take it any more. Miss World needs to change,’ she defiantly said.
Angie Beasley, director of Miss England, confirmed the walkout earlier this week, saying: ‘We regret to announce that Milla Magee has returned home to the UK due to personal reasons.
Prince William gave his support to her ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ project for Miss World 2025 during a royal visit to her hometown of Newquay, Cornwall
The Cornish campaigner has joined forces with Surfers Against Sewage – a UK charity calling for an end to sewage discharges in bathing waters by 2030
Milla revealed at the beginning of the month how she been forced to halt training for the Miss World championships after raw sewage was dumped in the sea near her Cornish hometown
‘We support her fully – health and wellbeing must always come first.’
MailOnline has approached Miss World for comment.
It comes after Milla revealed at the beginning of the month how she been forced to halt training for the Miss World championships after raw sewage was dumped in the sea near her Cornish hometown.
The shocking reality pushed the environmental campaigner to speak out against pollution on Britain’s beaches, saying it’s time for urgent action.
‘As Miss England, a surfer, and founder of the GoFarwithCPR campaign, I’ve seen first-hand how powerful the ocean can be – not just for fitness, but for mental health and community,’ Milla said.
‘That’s why it’s devastating to see Cornwall’s waters polluted with sewage.
‘Lately, many of us have had to stay out of the sea because it’s simply not safe, and that’s more than just a missed surf – it’s a public health crisis.
‘As we bid farewell to winter, the days start getting longer, the sun is shining, we want to enjoy our beaches. However, this rise in pollution just simply isn’t safe.’
The Cornish campaigner has joined forces with Surfers Against Sewage – a UK charity calling for an end to sewage discharges in bathing waters by 2030.
Determined to make a difference, Milla is now urging the public to step up and protect the coastlines.
‘We need urgent action to protect our coastlines and keep the ocean a place of healing, not harm,’ she said.
‘For the people who don’t live by the sea and understand these issues, for the children who want to enjoy nature’s playground, and for the locals who simply just want to enjoy their home.
‘Get involved with organisations like Surfers Against Sewage or simple beach cleans, is such a small act for an even bigger effect.’
