Key points
- Miss England 2024, Milla Magee, withdrew from Miss World in Hyderabad citing mismanagement by Indian organisers.
- Gupta countered with claims of harassment, body shaming, and a toxic environment within the MGI organization.
- The twin controversies have placed India at the centre of global scrutiny.
ISLAMABAD: The glossy veneer of international beauty pageants has been shattered by back-to-back controversies, both linked to India, casting a shadow over the credibility and conduct of these global events.
The first blow came when Miss England 2024, Milla Magee, abruptly withdrew from the ongoing Miss World competition in Hyderabad, citing organisational misconduct and mismanagement by the Indian hosts—a move that cast serious doubts on the professionalism and credibility of the event.
The sudden dethroning
Before the uproar could subside, another storm erupted as Indian beauty queen Rachel Gupta—newly crowned Miss Grand International 2024 in Thailand—became embroiled in a public fallout with the pageant’s organisers, leading to her dethroning amid allegations of misconduct, further fuelling the narrative that controversies tend to follow Indian involvement in international pageants.
Before attention could shift away from the Miss England episode, a second and far more dramatic controversy shook the pageant world. Rachel Gupta—crowned Miss Grand International 2024 in Thailand just months earlier—was abruptly stripped of her title by the Miss Grand International (MGI) organisation.
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In a statement issued on May 28 via social media, MGI claimed Gupta had violated the terms of her contract. According to the organisation, she failed to fulfil official responsibilities, declined to participate in a scheduled trip to Guatemala, and engaged in outside professional projects without prior approval.
Allegations go public
Gupta responded swiftly, announcing that she had already resigned from the title. In a heartfelt social media post, she alleged that her reign had been marred by broken promises, harassment, body shaming, and a toxic work environment.
“The months following my crowning have been marked by broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment I can no longer endure in silence,” she wrote. Gupta also revealed that she plans to release a detailed video to shed light on her experience within the organisation.
Her statement quickly gained traction online, with many fans rallying behind her and demanding accountability from the pageant’s organisers. Supporters praised her courage for speaking out, while others criticised the pageant industry’s often-unseen pressures.
MGI fires back
The Miss Grand International organisation, however, stood firm. In a follow-up statement, they rejected Gupta’s claims, reaffirmed her dismissal, and instructed her to return the crown to their head office within 30 days. The organisation reiterated that Gupta was no longer authorised to use the Miss Grand International title or participate in any related events.
A conversation reignited
Gupta’s fall was particularly poignant, given her historic win for India on October 25, 2024. Her crowning moment had gone viral, especially due to the chaotic stripping of the second runner-up’s title on stage.
Now, her exit and the public clash with MGI have reignited broader conversations about the darker aspects of global pageantry, including body image pressures, mental health struggles, and backstage politics.
Behind the glamour
MGI has named first runner-up CJ Opiaza of the Philippines as Gupta’s replacement, marking the country’s first-ever Miss Grand International title. Meanwhile, Gupta’s family has announced plans for a press conference to provide further details and demand transparency.
What makes these two high-profile incidents particularly striking is that they bookend the controversy from opposite ends—one involving an Indian organising body accused of misconduct by a foreign contestant, and the other featuring an Indian titleholder accused of malpractices by an international organisation. Together, they have thrust India into an unflattering spotlight in the world of pageantry.
The twin exits—Miss England from Miss World and Miss India from Miss Grand International—have ignited broader conversations about accountability in the pageant industry. With both contestants citing mistreatment, the incidents raise serious questions about the welfare of participants and the culture within such global competitions.
