Meet Miss World 2025
and the dark side of pageants
Happy Monday!
Let’s kick off the week with a little glam, a little grit, and a whole lot of crowns.
Get ready for stories that sparkle, but also sting. Because, as we’re learning, the pageant world isn’t just runways and roses, it’s also resilience.
Let’s dive in…
📌 Thailand wins Miss World 2025
Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri was crowned Miss World 2025 on Saturday, in a dazzling ceremony held in Hyderabad, India. She emerged victorious among 108 contestants from across the globe, taking home the prestigious title and the spotlight.
The first runner-up was Ethiopia’s Hasset Dereje Admassu, who also wowed the judges with her grace and presence.
Chuangsri received her crown from the reigning queen, Krystyna Pyszková, and stepped into the global spotlight with elegance and charm.
The 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant was hosted by former Miss World 2016, Stephanie del Valle, along with Indian presenter Sachiin Kumbhar, adding both glamour and a bit of local flair to the night.
Interestingly, India has hosted the Miss World pageant for two consecutive years, a nod to its growing influence in the global beauty and fashion scene.
While the host nation was brimming with excitement, India’s own Nandini Gupta made it to the top 20 but missed out on the crown.
India, of course, has a rich legacy in the Miss World competition. Over the years, six Indian women have claimed the title, including icons like Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, and Manushi Chhillar.
📌 But there’s a dark reality behind all this glam…
And while Opal Suchata Chuangsri was celebrating her big win as Miss World 2025, there was another story brewing behind the stage lights, one that’s stirred up quite a bit of controversy.
Miss England 2025, Milla Magee, made headlines not for what she wore or how she walked, but for walking away from the competition altogether. Milla had joined Miss World with the hope of promoting her campaign to make CPR training mandatory in schools. But she says the experience was far from the “beauty with a purpose” mantra the pageant is known for.
According to Milla, the contestants were treated less like advocates and more like decoration, present to entertain investors, with barely any platform for the causes they championed. Feeling exploited and disillusioned, she left just before the grand finale in Hyderabad, claiming the event was all about appearances and not purpose.
The Miss World Organisation hit back hard, calling her allegations “false and defamatory,” and Julia Morley, the CEO, even suggested that Magee left because she “didn’t think she could win.” But Milla wasn’t having it. She called that comment “vindictive and bitter,” and made it clear her decision to leave was rooted in values, not competition.
She spoke openly about the pressure behind the scenes, the lack of real advocacy space, and even an uncomfortable encounter with a guest. Despite the backlash, Milla’s received a wave of support from other pageant contestants who echoed her concerns.
📌 And there’s another story…
And just when you thought one pageant controversy was enough, another story has shaken the glam world, this time, involving Rachel Gupta, the 21-year-old model from Jalandhar who made history as the first Indian to win Miss Grand International in 2024.
But fast-forward seven months, and Rachel has not only stepped down but also had her title officially revoked by the organisation. While MGI claims it was due to "failing to fulfill duties" and “engaging in external projects without approval,” Rachel tells a very different, and disturbing story.
In a candid YouTube video titled “The Truth About Miss Grand International – My Story,” Rachel accused the organisers of creating a toxic, exploitative environment where contestants were expected to smile, stay ultra-thin, and act as product promoters on TikTok, all while receiving no real support.
“They just want me to show up, be skinny, smile for the cameras, and sell cheap products,” she said. “Frankly, they don’t care if I live or die.”
Even worse, Rachel recounted being body-shamed and physically humiliated. At one point, a pageant rep allegedly pinched her body and told her where to lose weight, all while she was isolated, locked in a house, and denied access to basic resources.
That’s it for today. If you found this edition interesting and entertaining, please drop a like and follow us for more!
See ya👋
