Latest news with #JuliaMorley
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Miss World Delegates & Fortune Infra Support Hyderabad Orphans via KC Pullaiah Foundation
Hyderabad, June 05, 2025 — In an afternoon marked by warmth, joy, and heartfelt interaction, Hyderabad welcomed contestants of the 72nd Miss World 2025 pageant for a special outreach event held at the Trident Hotel. Far from the glamour of the pageant stage, this gathering focused on community, compassion, and meaningful conversations — especially for over 200 visually impaired children and orphans from various parts of Telangana. Organized by Dr. Rama Krishna of Fortune Hospitality and Sudeeksha Estates in collaboration with the Miss World Organization, this event served as a platform for bridging cultures, sharing stories, and initiating real impact. The initiative was further supported by the Miss World Organization, with Chairperson Julia Morley and reigning Miss World Krystyna Pyszkova in attendance. Unlike conventional formal ceremonies, the ballroom of the hotel was transformed into an open, inclusive space where children sat in small groups with the international contestants. What followed was a spontaneous exchange of experiences — discussions on dreams, questions about life journeys, and lots of laughter that echoed well beyond the ballroom walls. The children came from backgrounds marked by hardship, but their curiosity was boundless. They asked the contestants questions ranging from their decision to enter the Miss World pageant to how they handled challenges and responsibilities on a global platform. Miss World Krystyna Pyszkova shared words of encouragement, while Chairperson Julia Morley emphasized the value of perseverance, kindness, and believing in one's potential. One of the most moving moments of the day came from Miss Nigeria, Joy Mojisola Raimi, who candidly spoke about losing her mother at a young age. 'I know what it feels like to be left out,' she told the young audience. 'But life finds a way. Today, I stand here representing my country. If I can do it, so can you.' Similarly, Miss Philippines, Krishnah Marie Gravidez, who was surrounded by a group of smiling students taking selfies, shared her admiration for the children. 'These kids are among the most adorable I've ever met. There's something special here — a connection you can't explain, only feel.' Miss Estonia, Eliise Randmaa, who has worked on child welfare through her "Beauty with a Purpose" initiative, reflected on how events like these create lifelong impressions. 'Sharing even a small moment with these children reminds me why we do what we do. While the day brought emotional fulfillment to the attendees, it also marked the beginning of a major transformation for the Victoria Memorial School. During the event, Mr. Ramakrishna, Chairman and Managing Director of Fortune Infra Group, handed over a cheque of ₹2 crore (5 Lakhs donated by Vamsiram Builders, 10 Lakhs donated by Cyber City & 1.85cr by Dr. Rama Krishna) to Mr. Anil Kumar, Secretary of the KC Pullaiah Foundation. KC Pullaiah Foundation — established in 2008 and renamed in 2012 in honor of its visionary founder — has been instrumental in advancing education, health, skill development, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The foundation has impacted over 1. 5 lakh beneficiaries through its flagship initiatives such as the Vidvatta Program (scholarships for meritorious students), Aarogyam (free clinics and nutrition support for children living with HIV), and the KC Pullaiah Skill Development Centers. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Anil Kumar said, 'The school has been in dire need of renovation for years. This generous contribution will help us provide the children with the infrastructure they deserve. We are committed to completing the project within one year.' A joint committee will be formed, consisting of representatives from Victoria Memorial School, Fortune Infra Group, and the KC Pullaiah Foundation, to monitor and guide the progress of the renovation work. The project is expected to begin shortly and will be carried out with a strong emphasis on safety, accessibility, and educational functionality. This donation is earmarked for the complete renovation of the school's heritage building, which currently houses over 900 children. The structure, though historic, has become unsafe and obsolete. With this timely financial support, it will now be transformed into a safer, more nurturing space for education and growth. As part of the outreach, each student received a carefully curated gift kit containing books, woollen clothing, pearl necklaces, and other meaningful keepsakes. For many of the children, it was the first time they interacted with people from so many different cultures and backgrounds — a rare and joyful experience. What stood out the most, however, was not the material gifts, but the human connection. As the formalities concluded, music played softly in the background and the ballroom quickly turned into a lively dance floor. Children and contestants danced together, their smiles reflecting a sense of freedom and joy that words could hardly capture. In her closing remarks, Julia Morley, Chairperson of the Miss World Organization, praised the initiative and its impact. 'The essence of Miss World lies in using influence for good. Today's event reflects exactly that. It's not just about titles — it's about touching lives.' The event has set a meaningful precedent for how global platforms like Miss World can play a role in community development, especially when supported by local organisations like Fortune Infra Group and the KC Pullaiah Foundation. For the children of Victoria Memorial School, the day brought much more than excitement — it brought hope, representation, and the promise of a better future. Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Telegraph
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Miss England hits out at ‘vindictive' Miss World bosses
Miss England has criticised the organisers of the Miss World pageant as 'vindictive and very bitter' after she left the contest early. Milla Magee, 24, a lifeguard and a keen surfer from Newquay, Cornwall, quit the 2025 Miss World pageant final in Hyderabad, India, after she claimed she and the other finalists were being 'exploited'. Her departure in May led to a war of words with the contest organisers, who have dismissed her claims as a 'desperate attempt to gain attention'. Julia Morley, the organisation's chief executive, reportedly told a Hindu newspaper that Ms Magee left because she 'believed she didn't stand a chance in the competition'. On Saturday, Ms Magee hit back, claiming the pageant purported to be about 'beauty with purpose' but was actually about 'wearing different ballgowns every day and what you look like'. In comments reported by The Guardian, she said: 'What Julia said was vindictive and very bitter. And it was a ridiculous statement. 'I did not leave because I thought I was not going to win. I left because I wanted to stand for what I believe in and it didn't align with my values. 'And I would hate for another young girl to go into this system after watching me this past year and have to experience the same.' Ms Magee said she agreed to take part in the contest because she believed it would be a platform to promote her campaign to have CPR included in the school curriculum. But she claimed that she and the other contestants were left with little time to promote their causes and were instead expected to look pretty and entertain guests. She also alleged that a man had walked up to her and said 'Next time I'm in London or England, hook me up', which had left her feeling uncomfortable. 'I went there to make a difference but we had to sit like performing monkeys,' she previously told The Sun. 'It's stuck in the past. Morally, I couldn't be a part of it. 'As Miss England, I was told the role would be 'beauty with a purpose' – and it was. I've campaigned for the causes I am passionate about, and have a voice as any modern woman would expect. 'But [Miss World] is simply about the way you look and present yourself. As far as I could see it hasn't changed from the 1960s and 1970s.' Following her departure, Miss World posted a series of videos on social media showing Ms Magee smiling while taking part in interviews and sitting in the hotel during the contest. The organisers said that Ms Magee 'expresses gratitude, joy, and appreciation for the experience' in the footage, serving 'as a direct contradiction to the recent false narratives'. They referred to 'false and defamatory statements' that they said were 'completely unfounded and inconsistent with the reality of her time with us'. Ms Magee was replaced as Miss England at the last minute by Charlotte Grant, 25, of Kirkby, Merseyside, a part-time model and owner of a cosmetics business. Ms Grant was told as a child she would never walk again after breaking her back in an accident on a bouncy castle but ultimately recovered from her injuries. Thailand's Opal Suchata Chuangsr won the final on Saturday. Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia was the first runner-up,
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Miss World beauty contest is embroiled in 'exploitation' row after Miss England competitor accuses organisers of using her to lure in wealthy investors
A Miss World beauty contestant has become embroiled in an exploitation row after accusing the organisers of using her as entertainment for wealthy investors. Milla Magee, the reigning Miss England, said she decided to take part in the Miss World 2025 pageant to promote her campaign to have CPR added to the school curriculum. However, she left before the grand final in India on Saturday, reportedly claiming she felt exploited and as though she and the other women were being used as entertainment for investors as a 'thank you', the Guardian first reported. In response to the claims, Miss World referred to 'false and defamatory statements' that it said were 'completely unfounded and inconsistent with the reality of her time with us'. Julia Morley, the organisation's chief executive, reportedly claimed in an interview with the Hindu newspaper that Magee left because she 'believed she didn't stand a chance in the competition'. Magee, 24, said on Saturday: 'What Julia said was vindictive and very bitter. And it was a ridiculous statement. I did not leave because I thought I was not going to win. I left because I wanted to stand for what I believe in and it didn't align with my values. 'And I would hate for another young girl to go into this system after watching me this past year and have to experience the same.' She added: 'I felt like I've been fed a false narrative of this system that promotes ''beauty with a purpose'', that's supposed to be about advocacy and what you champion for.' Instead, Magee claimed she found she and the other women were there based on looks and to entertain guests, with limited opportunity provided to promote their chosen causes. In one claim, the contestant alleged that a man approached her and said: 'Next time I'm in London or England, hook me up' - leaving Magee feeling uncomfortable. She added that she has received many messages from women who have also taken part in pageants, 'saying how they felt the exact same'.
The Guardian
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Miss World organisers accused of being ‘vindictive and bitter' towards ex-contestant
Their mantra is 'beauty with a purpose'. But the organisers of the Miss World pageant have been accused of something altogether uglier: being 'vindictive and very bitter' towards a contestant who left over claims she had been used as window dressing. The reigning Miss England, Milla Magee, said she agreed to take part in the 2025 Miss World pageant because she believed it would be a platform to promote her campaign to have CPR included in the school curriculum. But she said the reality was very different. She left before the grand final in India on Saturday, saying she felt she was being exploited and claiming she and the other women felt they had been provided as entertainment for investors as a 'thank you'. Miss World organisers responded with a statement in which they referred to 'false and defamatory statements' that they said were 'completely unfounded and inconsistent with the reality of her time with us'. The organisation's chief executive, Julia Morley, went further in an interview with the Hindu newspaper, in which she accused Magee of leaving because she 'believed she didn't stand a chance in the competition'. On Saturday, Magee said: 'What Julia said was vindictive and very bitter. And it was a ridiculous statement. I did not leave because I thought I was not going to win. I left because I wanted to stand for what I believe in and it didn't align with my values. And I would hate for another young girl to go into this system after watching me this past year and have to experience the same.' Magee said there were a 'lot of tears behind the smiles' at the Miss World event in Hyderabad and she was unwilling to 'promote a lie'. She said that while the pageant purported to be about 'beauty with purpose', she found it to be about 'wearing different ballgowns every day and what you look like'. She said: 'I felt like I've been fed a false narrative of this system that promotes 'beauty with a purpose', that's supposed to be about advocacy and what you champion for. And I thought, right, this is a real good opportunity for me on a global stage to be able to talk about [my campaign] Go Far with CPR. This isn't about me standing on the stage, this isn't about what I wear. It's not about what I look like.' Instead, Magee claimed she found she and the other contestants were there more to look pretty and to entertain guests, with only limited opportunity given to promote their causes. In one instance, she alleged, a man she could not identify walked up to her and said: 'Next time I'm in London or England, hook me up,' leaving her feeling uncomfortable. Magee also said she felt Miss World had exposed her to anger from its backers by posting its statement on social media for them to comment on – failing, she said, in its duty of care to her. Nevertheless, she said, she had been 'inundated' with messages from women who had taken part in pageants 'saying how they felt the exact same'. She called on the organisation to modernise, saying: 'They have a big responsibility to acknowledge what I've said, acknowledge and listen to the reasons of why I left, to not just so quickly and irresponsibly put out a statement to say it's because I didn't think I was going to win.' Miss World has been contacted for comment.
Hans India
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Julia Morley's repeated dress choice at Miss World 2025 sparks conversation on sustainability
Julia Morley, Chairwoman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation, garnered attention during the 72nd Miss World competition held on 31 May 2025 in Hyderabad, India, by wearing the same dress at both the event's introduction and finale. While no official statement has been released regarding this decision, the gesture aligns with Morley's longstanding commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Under Morley's leadership since 2000, the Miss World pageant has shifted focus towards humanitarian efforts, notably through the "Beauty with a Purpose" initiative, which supports charitable causes worldwide. Her dedication to philanthropy has been recognised with several honours, including the Variety International Humanitarian Award and a CBE in 2022 for services to disadvantaged people in the UK and abroad. The Miss World Organisation has increasingly incorporated messages around environmental awareness and social responsibility into its platform. Recent events have included workshops focused on women's empowerment and sustainability, reflecting the pageant's evolving ethos. While the exact reasoning behind Morley's repeated outfit remains speculative, it undeniably contributes to the ongoing conversation about sustainability in the fashion industry and the role of public figures in promoting environmentally conscious choices.
