Beauty & the burden

Miss England 2024 Milla Magee left the Miss World pageant in Hyderabad midway citing ‘personal and ethical concerns’; Rachel Gupta allegedly returned her Miss Grand International 2024 crown over ‘toxic environment and broken promises’ and Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu was brutally trolled for weight gain—the not-so-pretty side of pageants has raised its ugly head time and again.Purpose or presentation…what’s bigger?As the eyes of the world were on the Miss World, Miss England Milla Magee reportedly left the pageant midway citing family problems. Following Magee’s exit, Charlotte Grant, the Miss England runner-up, arrived in Hyderabad to take her place in the competition.Days later, Milla in a statement to a British tabloid expressed disappointment with the pageant’s environment, which she said did not align with her expectations of ‘beauty with a purpose’. The contestants were allegedly expected to wear make-up and remain dressed in ball gowns throughout the day. She also alleged that she was being exploited, claiming that she and the other women felt they had been provided as ‘entertainment for investors as a thank you’.“I thought this was a really good opportunity for me on a global stage to be able to talk about Go Far with CPR (her campaign about making CPR and first aid training compulsory in schools). This isn’t about me standing on the stage, this isn’t about what I wear. It’s not about what I look like,” she was quoted.However, Miss World CEO Julia Morley denied the allegations, “Earlier this month, Milla Maggie requested to leave the competition due to a reported family emergency involving her mother’s health. We responded to Milla’s situation with compassion and immediately arranged her return to England, placing the well-being of the contestant and her family first. Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that certain UK media outlets have published false and defamatory statements, allegedly made by Milla Maggie, regarding her experience in India. These claims are completely unfounded and inconsistent with the reality of her time with us,” read the statement.The Miss World Organisation also released unedited videos recorded during Milla’s stay in India, in which she expresses gratitude, joy, and appreciation for the experience. “These videos reflect her own words and sentiments, and serve as a direct contradiction to the recent false narratives,” the statement said. Miss World remains committed to truth, dignity, and the values of “Beauty With a Purpose”, it added.She left it, or expelled?Closer to home, Jalandhar girl Rachel Gupta alleged that she was not given food or fruits, or pots and pans to cook during her stay at a Thai hotel and house. She also alleged body shaming. According to her, a representative pinched her and told her to lose weight. She said she had to ‘buy herself food’ and take care of her health and fitness. She levelled allegations of unfair practices like countries buying votes and a case of sexual harassment.Miss Grand International Organisation gave a different version of the events and claimed that Rachel was officially terminated from her position due to her alleged failure to fulfil her duties, engagement in external projects without approval, and refusal to participate in a scheduled trip to Guatemala. According to an announcement, Christine Julian Opiaza of the Philippines will assume the title.Is plump not pretty?Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu went through brutal trolling about her weight gain, and went public with her struggle with maintaining body weight due to coeliac disease. “Nobody knows about my coeliac disease. That I can’t eat wheat flour and many other things.” She has taken the online attack in her stride and through phases of weight gain and loss, maintained her positive outlook. “I am someone who believes in body positivity. There are a lot of other individuals who are trolled every day irrespective of their Miss Universe or not. I am empowering them by making them feel that if I feel gorgeous, you are beautiful too,” she gave a befitting reply to the trolls.Is the burden of expectation is a tad too much for these beauties or is it a cry for real change? It depends on who you ask. But what the organisers can do is maintain transparency and accountability to ensure that the espoused ideals align with the lived experiences of the women who participate.

Beauty & the burden

Mona

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