Miss England Quits Miss World, Cites Exploitation

Milla Magee, the reigning Miss England, became the first contestant to quit the Miss World competition in its 74-year history, citing exploitation and outdated practices. Magee withdrew from the 2024 event held in Hyderabad, India, after initially stating 'personal reasons' before later revealing she felt paraded before wealthy male sponsors and ignored regarding humanitarian causes. She described the experience as making her feel 'like a prostitute' and criticized the pressure to wear heavy makeup and gowns at all times. Magee's moral objections to the pageant's environment led to her resignation. Organizers have since replaced Magee with a runner-up for the final. Her departure has reignited debate about the ethics and relevance of traditional beauty pageants.