The Miss World 2025 beauty pageant, promoted as a symbol of global prestige and cultural pride, has erupted into controversy, casting a shadow over the international event currently taking place in Hyderabad. Once hailed as a diplomatic and tourism triumph for Telangana, the pageant is now mired in scandal following explosive revelations by Miss England, Milla Magee, and backlash over culturally insensitive practices.
Magee, the reigning Miss England, has exited the competition, citing what she described as “superficial treatment and lack of respect toward contestants.” In an exclusive interview with The Sun, she claimed the event left her feeling “like a prostitute” and “farmed out for entertainment.” Her allegations point to a troubling atmosphere where, according to her, contestants were expected to entertain middle-aged male sponsors in return for their financial support.
“We were there to please these people and sit like performing monkeys,” Magee stated, expressing deep disappointment with the pageant’s direction. She described how contestants were placed two per table during sponsor dinners and expected to engage in conversation with little regard for their advocacy work or personal causes. Magee recounted that when she attempted to discuss her platform, the men showed no interest, instead engaging in awkward small talk that made her feel uncomfortable and objectified.
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Adding to the growing criticism, Magee also revealed that a female official publicly scolded contestants for being “boring” and even clapped in her face to demand attention. “It was so disrespectful, like she was addressing children,” Magee remarked, calling the experience degrading and unprofessional.
This scandal follows an earlier incident that drew national outrage, when local women were made to wash the feet of beauty pageant contestants at the Ramappa Temple — an act many condemned as exploitative and culturally tone-deaf.
These controversies have thrown the pageant into disarray and caused political embarrassment for the Telangana government. Led by the Congress party, the administration had promoted Miss World 2025 as a major win for state tourism and image-building.
Ministers like Konda Surekha and Seethakka had proudly unveiled the state’s new tourism tagline, “Telangana Zaroor Aana”, in hopes that the international event would boost global interest in the region.
Instead, the fallout from Milla Magee’s allegations and the Ramappa Temple incident has drawn criticism from across the globe, with many questioning the competence of the organisers and the treatment of participants. The controversy risks damaging India’s image on an international platform, especially given the global audience the Miss World pageant commands.
Organisers have not yet issued a formal response to the allegations. Meanwhile, calls for accountability are growing louder, with observers urging the Miss World Organisation and local hosts to address the concerns raised by Magee and take urgent steps to uphold the dignity and safety of all participants.
What was envisioned as a celebration of beauty, empowerment, and cultural exchange has instead become a cautionary tale of mismanagement and disrespect. As the pageant limps forward, it remains to be seen whether the organisers can salvage its reputation or if Miss World 2025 will be remembered more for controversy than for crowning a queen.
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