In a shocking turn of events, Miss England 2024, Mila Maggie, has withdrawn from the Miss World competition being held in Telangana, India. The 24-year-old left the pageant mid-way on May 16 and returned to the UK, citing mistreatment and discomfort during the event.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Mila made serious allegations against the Miss World organizers, saying she felt like a “whore” and claimed she was pressured to cooperate more closely with financiers. Her abrupt exit marks the first time in the 74-year history of Miss World that the official representative from England has stepped down mid-competition. She has since been replaced by the first runner-up.
A Life Surrounded by Glamour
Born in 2001, Mila Maggie was raised in the elite Primrose Hill area of London—known for celebrity residents and film shoots. Her mother, Katrina Russell, worked with Creation Records before launching her own music label. Her father, Brenhan, runs the popular Maggie’s chain of restaurants and bars, one of which served as a filming location for the reality show Made in Chelsea.
Mila grew up in proximity to icons like Kate Moss and was exposed to the glamorous world from a young age, though she says it never truly appealed to her.
Struggles with Body Image
Despite growing up in a stylish environment, Mila had her own challenges. Educated at an all-girls school in London, she recalled being bullied for her naturally curvier body.
“All the girls were very skinny. My bone structure was different, and I was called chubby. I started hating my own body,” she shared.
A Shift to Simplicity and Surfing
At 16, Mila and her mother relocated to Newquay, Cornwall, where she discovered surfing—a turning point in her life. The ocean not only helped her embrace her body but also helped her recover from depression. She later worked as a lifeguard, driven by a desire to serve people and protect nature.
Mila became the first plus-size model to win the Miss England title, championing the cause of body positivity throughout her journey.
Social Impact and CPR Advocacy
Apart from breaking stereotypes in the modeling world, Mila has also led a public health campaign titled “Go Far with CPR.” Motivated by the tragic loss of her grandfather, who died of a heart attack before an ambulance could arrive, Mila is now advocating for mandatory CPR training in UK schools. Her campaign has earned the support of Prince William.
“My Nana was with him when he collapsed, but she didn’t know how to give CPR. That one hour of delay cost him his life,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mila Maggie’s departure from Miss World 2024 has sparked widespread debate on ethics and expectations in the beauty pageant industry. Meanwhile, her story continues to inspire many with its message of authenticity, body acceptance, and social responsibility.
Telangana Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, who conducted an internal enquiry into the matter has dismissed the allegations made by Miss England 2024 Milla Magee, in an interview following her abrupt exit from the ongoing Miss World 2025 pageant in Hyderabad, as ‘fabricated and highly exaggerated’. Here’s a video released by the govt in which Magee can be seen comfortably seated at a table with a family.