Brit Miss World contestant flees host nation after ‘being made to feel like prostitute’ as she slams ‘outdated’ show
MISS England has quit the Miss World beauty pageant because she felt organisers were exploiting her.
Milla Magee’s walkout was put down to personal reasons earlier this week.
Milla, 24, the first Miss England to quit in the contest’s 74 years, said: “I went there to make a difference but we had to sit like performing monkeys.”
The lifeguard, of Newquay, Cornwall, added: “It’s stuck in the past. Morally I couldn’t be a part of it.”
Devastated Milla says she “felt like a prostitute” and was “farmed out for entertainment” by Miss World organisers.
Milla said she decided to take a stand after being paraded in front of wealthy male sponsors.
She branded the show “outdated” and said some of the 109 finalists were berated for being “boring”.
Her May 16 exit — the first by a Miss England in the pageant’s 74 years — was put down to “personal reasons” earlier this week.
But in an exclusive interview with The Sun, Milla — whose campaigning has been supported by Prince William — said: “The point was to do good, promote change and make a difference.
“But it became obvious that just wasn’t going to happen.
“As far as I could see it hasn’t changed and is stuck in the past. Morally, I couldn’t be a part of it.
“All the crowns and sashes in the world mean nothing compared to using your voice and making a difference in the world.”
Milla flew to Hyderabad, India, on May 7 for publicity events for the final but quickly realised she was only there to be ogled.
Contenders were told to wear make-up 24/7 and ball gowns all day, including at breakfast.
Milla said the final straw came when they were told to entertain middle-aged men as a “thank you” for money they put into the show.
She revealed: “There were two girls to each table of six guests.
“We were expected to sit with them for the whole evening and entertain them as a thank you.
“I found that unbelievable. I remember thinking, ‘This is so wrong’. I didn’t come here to be farmed out for people’s entertainment. Miss World is supposed to have the same values, but it’s outdated and stuck in the past. They made me feel like a prostitute.”
Milla added: “At one point I tried to talk about the causes I was supporting but it was obvious the men at the table were not interested. Instead there was weird small-talk that left me feeling uncomfortable.
“I went out to make a difference, to help create a different future, perhaps inspire young people. Never in a million years did I expect to find myself in that situation. We were there to please these people and sit like performing monkeys. I couldn’t stand it.”
She says one official gave them a dressing down for being “boring” after an event.
Milla added: “She clapped her hands right in my face to get my attention and as a signal for people to listen to her.
“It was so disrespectful, like she was addressing children rather than a coach full of adult women.
“It was a small incident but it showed what they really thought of us and how little respect we were being treated with.”
Milla rang home in tears and told her mum she and other contestants were being exploited.
On May 16 she told organisers she was standing down and flew home to Newquay, Cornwall.
Milla’s place in the final will now be taken by Miss England runner-up Charlotte Grant, 25, the current Miss Liverpool.
The live-streamed final will air in over 180 countries next Saturday.
Milla, a lifeguard and keen surfer, had been thrilled to win Miss England last May and was our first plus-size Miss World entrant.
She used her status to launch her Go Far With CPR campaign, backed by the Prince of Wales.
Milla added: “As Miss England I was told the role would be ‘beauty with a purpose’ — and it was. I’ve campaigned for the causes I am passionate about, and have a voice as any modern woman would expect.
“But (Miss World) is simply about the way you look and present yourself.
“As far as I could see it hasn’t changed from the 1960s and ’70s.”
Milla said finalists were endlessly displayed in dresses only suitable for the Oscars.
She said: “I felt pressure to conform and it was made clear if I didn’t then I wasn’t going to win or get far. But after a short while I just thought, ‘this is ridiculous’ and started going out without any make-up and wearing appropriate clothes that you would actually wear to have breakfast.
“I couldn’t take it any more. Miss World needs to change.”
Angie Beasley, director of Miss England, said this week: “We regret to announce that Milla Magee has returned home to the UK due to personal reasons.
“We stand fully by her decision – health must always come first.”