'Beauty pageant, not HR seminar', Former Miss Universe runner-up Celina Jaitly slams Miss England’s claims

Dubai: Former Miss India, Miss Universe runner-up, UN Goodwill Ambassador, and former Dubai resident Celina Jaitly has responded forcefully to Miss England 2025 Milla Magee, who alleged that contestants at the Miss World India event were subjected to excessive sponsor appearances, pressured to wear certain outfits, and “exploited” under the guise of pageantry.

In an exclusive statement to Gulf News, Jaitly pushed back against what she called a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to compete on an international stage. Jaitly addressed Magee’s allegations — particularly the criticism surrounding the number of sponsor appearances and perceived pressure to dress in specific ways — by offering her own experience and insight into the workings of international beauty pageants.

“Having represented India at Miss Universe in Puerto Rico, I can say with absolute certainty that being part of an international pageant means showing up with grace, gratitude, and professionalism,” Jaitly stated.

“We were clearly briefed that the host country invests enormous resources to put together an event of this scale. There wasn’t a single day in Puerto Rico when we weren’t attending three to four events in addition to intense rehearsals. There was no time for anything else and we did it all with pride.”

She added, “Each event was supported by sponsors, and yes it is entirely normal to be asked to dress according to the occasion. That’s part of being a contestant. After all, this is a beauty pageant, not an HR seminar.”

While acknowledging Magee’s right to express her feelings — “I’m sorry that Miss Magee felt the way she did” — Jaitly emphasised that many of the comments reflected a misunderstanding of the nature of the platform.

“It is important to note that from the beginning, she had been advocating for changes to core elements of the pageant reportedly preferring CPR training over swimsuit rounds. That is like a doctor entering a beauty pageant and insisting on performing a surgery instead of activities pertaining to the pageant. It reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the platform she voluntarily entered.”

Jaitly then defended the evolution of modern pageants: “Pageants have evolved into powerful platforms of inclusivity celebrating diversity in body types, backgrounds, and identities, far beyond traditional beauty norms.”

Addressing Magee’s controversial comparison of sponsor interactions to exploitation, Jaitly was unequivocal in her response: “Attending multiple engagements, presenting yourself with poise, and representing your country with dignity is not exploitation — it is the very essence of what international pageantry demands. Sitting at a gala dinner in the presence of global media is a privilege, not a burden. And like any major event — be it in business, entertainment, or sports — there must be mutual respect between hosts, sponsors, and participants. Gratitude isn’t servitude; it’s professionalism.”

The former beauty queen also expressed disappointment over the allegations, citing India’s long-standing legacy of excellence in global pageants: “India is the land of legendary beauty queens, and to see unfounded allegations — particularly when they are directly contradicted by official video footage and a statement from Miss World Chairperson & CEO Julia Morley — is deeply disappointing. The truth must matter.”

She then reminded readers of the larger impact Indian beauty queens have had: “Beauty queens like me… Celina Jaitly, Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai, Lara Dutta, and Priyanka Chopra helped pave the way for international brands to find a niche in India’s phenomenal economy. We are not just beauty queens — we are economic revolutionaries. Beauty is a powerful tool of persuasion, of soft power, of cultural diplomacy. To reduce it, distort it, and weaponize it with falsehoods is not just irresponsible — it is an abomination. It’s like refusing to do your job at work and then defaming the office.”

On Magee’s alleged use of language comparing sponsor engagement to prostitution, Jaitly responded firmly: “To equate engaging with sponsors in the presence of global media and press to ‘prostitution’ is not only deeply offensive — it is a reckless misuse of language that belittles women and disrespects the millions who work in the beauty and fashion industry.”

She underscored the significance of the industries at the center of the conversation: “The global beauty industry alone is projected to generate over $667 billion in revenue by 2025, while the fashion industry is valued at approximately $1.7 trillion as of 2023. These industries are not just about aesthetics; they are powerful economic engines that provide employment to millions worldwide and serve as platforms for cultural expression and empowerment.”

Jaitly ended her statement by highlighting the transformative power of pageantry — not just for her, but for countless women across the globe. “Miss India and Miss Universe gave a girl like me who grew up in the remotest parts of India as an infantryman’s daughter a platform and an opportunity to change my life overnight,” she said.

“I’ve gone from the cantonments of India to the global stage — from the United Nations to blockbuster films — because of what that crown made possible.”

In a climate where international pageants are being questioned and, in some cases, mischaracterised, Jaitly’s closing message was pointed: “The truth must matter.”

For her, beauty queens aren’t just representatives of glamour — they’re ambassadors of commitment, discipline, and national pride.