Brittany Boltinhouse is no longer Miss North Carolina USA after pageant officials revoked her title.
The 27-year-old had only recently been crowned Miss North Carolina USA and was expected to represent the state at the Miss USA pageant scheduled for August 27.
Following the organization’s decision, first runner-up Myla Hadley will assume the crown and move forward as North Carolina’s contestant in the national competition.
The change comes after alleged past social media posts linked to Boltinhouse began circulating online, including posts in which she appeared to use a racial slur.
Blaize Productions, the executive producer and state license holder for the official Miss USA pageants in North Carolina, confirmed the move in an Instagram statement, referring to “recently surfaced information.”
“The decision was not made lightly. It followed a thorough review of recently surfaced information and was based on the totality of the circumstances and our responsibility to preserve the integrity of the Miss North Carolina USA title and the values of our organization,” the statement read.
The company also acknowledged Boltinhouse’s involvement in the pageant process, thanking her for the “time, dedication and commitment she gave throughout the process” and adding that it wishes her “nothing but the very best as she moves forward.”
The statement ended with a call for compassion, asking the pageant community, fans and the wider public to show “kindness and respect” to both Boltinhouse and Hadley during the transition.
Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse has been stripped of her title
Blaize Productions, who serves as the executive producer and state license holder for the official Miss USA pageants in North Carolina, shared the news in a statement posted to Instagram, citing ‘recently surfaced information’
‘Moments like these are never easy for anyone involved, and we remain committed to treating everyone with dignity while continuing our mission of empowering the next generation of women leaders.’
Thom Brodeur, the chairman of Miss USA, also addressed the matter in a lengthy Instagram message, explaining that the organization ‘does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity.’
‘A title here isn’t a trinket. It is a position of trust, extended by an organization and accepted by a woman who agrees to carry a standard in public,’ he added.
‘When that standard is broken, the title cannot continue as though nothing happened.’
He said that the decision didn’t come down to a ‘single moment,’ but rather, ‘conduct over an extended period of time.’
‘What was brought to us was not a single moment, it reflected conduct over an extended period of time. That is why this outcome was reached and I stand behind it without qualification,’ he continued.
‘State titleholders are recruited, vetted and approved for competition at the state level. We acted as soon as this reached us.’
He also urged people to be kind to Boltinhouse, stating: ‘There is a young woman at the center of this.
Thom Brodeur, the chairman of Miss USA, also addressed the matter in a lengthy Instagram message, explaining that the organization ‘does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity’
‘She has been named, examined and judged in public in a way that most of us would not survive, and she is still a human being with a family, a future and a life ahead of her that is longer than this part of her journey.
‘I will not run an organization that pretends otherwise. I have never believed that accountability requires cruelty, or that holding a line means enjoying the fall of the person who crossed it.
‘Zero tolerance is a standard for conduct. It is now permission to strip someone of their humanity – which is, after all, precisely the thing we are holding her accountable for doing to others.’
He said Boltinhouse would soon release a statement, adding that he already saw it and that it includes ‘ownership, accountability and apology.’
‘I respect that. While it does not undo the harm, and it does not change the outcome, it is the beginning of the only thing that ever repairs harm, which is change,’ he wrote.
‘I believe people can change. I have built my career on the conviction that young people are more than the worst thing they have done.’
He ended the note by ‘wishing Brittany well’ and giving his ‘full confidence and support’ to Hadley.
In a statement shared to Instagram, Hadley thanked her fans for ‘all the support and love they had shown throughout the entire process.’
‘I am extremely grateful and humbled by all the encouraging messages and the support I’ve received,’ she said.
‘I understand the seriousness and level of prestige that this title carries, and I can confidently say that both my team and I are ready to take this on.
‘While this may seem like a two-week turnaround given the circumstances, I’ve been preparing to represent at Miss USA since I first competed with this organization.
‘I am ready to represent North Carolina. Thank you all again for your motivation, support, and well wishes.’
