In a historic first for the Miss World pageant, ‘Miss England’ Mila Magee has withdrawn from the 2024 competition currently being held in Hyderabad, India. The 74-year-old global event has never before seen a contestant walk out mid-competition. Magee accused the organizing committee of emotional exploitation and mistreatment, claiming contestants were forced to follow a grueling schedule of makeup, outfit changes, and public appearances, likening it to being made to “dance like a monkey.”
Magee stated that she did not come to be anyone’s entertainment and criticized the pageant for being outdated in its values. While organizers claimed her withdrawal was due to personal reasons, Magee publicly refuted that explanation, sparking widespread attention and debate.
The controversy drew condemnation from Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao, who expressed regret over the incident and praised Mila for her courage. The Miss World 2024 competition, which began on May 10 and runs through May 31, now faces scrutiny over its treatment of contestants and relevance in today’s social climate.
