The Miss North Carolina USA title has been transferred to first runner-up Myla Hadley after organizers removed Brittany Boltinhouse from the role. Organizers said the decision followed a review of past online statements, including repeated use of a racial slur, and was not based on her conservative politics or Christian faith. Boltinhouse disputes that explanation and says her beliefs and political stance played a role in the loss of her crown.
Boltinhouse, 27, won the state pageant in June and held the title for only several weeks before older social media content from 2017 through 2019 resurfaced. The controversy has raised questions about the public standards expected of pageant titleholders and whether past statements should affect current roles.
Hadley is scheduled to represent North Carolina at the Miss USA pageant beginning Aug. 24 in Miami. The state pageant organization said its decision was based on the overall circumstances and the responsibilities attached to the title.
| 1) | Organizers explain why the crown was removed |
| 2) | Boltinhouse attributes the decision to her beliefs |
| 3) | Past social media posts become the focus |
| 4) | The title passes to the first runner-up |
| 5) | The dispute highlights standards for titleholders |
Organizers explain why the crown was removed
The organization holding North Carolina’s state license for the Miss USA pageant said the removal followed a careful review of information that had come to its attention. It described the material as previously undisclosed conduct and public content spanning multiple years.
Organizers said the conduct was inconsistent with the standards and public responsibilities set out in the agreements governing the Miss North Carolina USA position. They specifically rejected the suggestion that the decision was connected to Boltinhouse’s political views, religious beliefs or other protected personal viewpoints.
“The decision was not based on Brittany Boltinhouse’s political views, religious beliefs, or protected personal viewpoints.”
Boltinhouse attributes the decision to her beliefs
Brittany Boltinhouse said in an interview Friday that she believes her conservative Christian identity contributed to the loss of the title. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and described herself as proud of her faith, standards and political outlook.
She also said that people in the United States have a constitutional right to hold conservative views and to express their opinions. Boltinhouse characterized the setback as a “blessing in disguise” and said she was glad she was experiencing it rather than another young woman who might not withstand the pressure.
“I believe and think I was stripped from my title because of my political stance and my belief system as a conservative Christian woman.”
Past social media posts become the focus
The controversy centered on older online posts that organizers said included repeated use of the N-word. The statements were reportedly made between 2017 and 2019, before Boltinhouse won the state title in June.
Boltinhouse argued that the posts reflected mistakes from her teenage years and said she should not be judged permanently for her past. She also pointed to receiving the Miss Congeniality award, saying it reflected her character and the way others viewed her during the competition.
Pageant officials, however, said the issue was not a single isolated statement. Their explanation referred to the totality of the circumstances and to conduct over an extended period of time.
The title passes to the first runner-up
With Boltinhouse removed, the Miss North Carolina USA title passed to first runner-up Myla Hadley. Hadley is scheduled to represent the state at the Miss USA competition in Miami, which begins Aug. 24.
The change occurred only weeks after the June state competition. It means Hadley will assume the public-facing duties associated with the crown and prepare for the national event on a shortened timeline.
The dispute highlights standards for titleholders
Miss USA President and CEO Thom Brodeur said the organization does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia or language that strips people of their dignity. He said a title represents a position of trust rather than a mere object and is accepted by a titleholder who agrees to uphold a public standard.
The competing explanations leave the central dispute unresolved. Organizers describe the action as an enforcement decision based on past public conduct, while Boltinhouse says it reflects discrimination against her faith and political identity. Both sides agree that the older posts were central to the controversy, but they differ over whether those posts alone justified removing the title.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brittany Boltinhouse won the state title in June. |
| 2 | Organizers cited past online statements and the totality of the circumstances. |
| 3 | Boltinhouse said her conservative Christian beliefs influenced the decision. |
| 4 | Myla Hadley assumed the title as first runner-up. |
| 5 | Hadley is expected to compete at Miss USA in Miami beginning Aug. 24. |
Summary
The Miss North Carolina USA organization removed Brittany Boltinhouse after reviewing older social media content that it said conflicted with the standards of a state titleholder. Boltinhouse maintains that her conservative Christian beliefs and political views were a factor. The crown now belongs to Myla Hadley, who is scheduled to represent North Carolina at the upcoming Miss USA competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Brittany Boltinhouse removed from the title?
Organizers said the decision followed a review of past online statements and conduct that they considered inconsistent with the responsibilities of the title.
What does Boltinhouse say about the decision?
She says her conservative political views and Christian faith played a role in the removal and argues that she should not be judged solely by posts from her past.
Who will represent North Carolina at Miss USA?
First runner-up Myla Hadley is set to represent North Carolina at the Miss USA pageant beginning Aug. 24 in Miami.
