Producers of the Miss USA pageants in North Carolina have refuted claims by former winner Brittany Boltinhouse that she was stripped of her title due to her religious beliefs. A Blaize Productions, the executive producer and state license holder for the Miss North Carolina USA pageants, stated that the decision was based on "recently surfaced information" and "previously undisclosed conduct and public content spanning multiple years that was inconsistent with the standards and responsibilities expected of a Miss North Carolina USA titleholder."
Boltinhouse, 27, who was crowned Miss North Carolina last month, was expected to compete in the national Miss USA pageant on August 27. However, posts from an X account believed to be hers, which included a racial slur, circulated, leading to the revocation of her title. The runner-up, Myla Hadley, was subsequently crowned in her place.
In an interview with the Carolina Journal, Boltinhouse suggested that her conservative Christian faith, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, played a role in her disqualification. She described herself as a "proud conservative" and "God-fearing" woman who believes in "A nation under God."
A Blaize Productions released a statement asserting that the organization's decision "was not based on Brittany Boltinhouse’s political views, religious beliefs, or protected personal viewpoints." The statement emphasized that the organization values diversity, including "people from various backgrounds, political views, personal beliefs and values."
When questioned about the alleged racist posts, Boltinhouse did not confirm their authenticity but stated, "Every teenager has made a mistake. But I'm not really here to talk about that. I'm here to talk about the woman I am today." She added that despite past actions, she is a "hardworking woman" who won her titles legitimately.
The pageant organization maintained that the title was revoked solely due to her online speech after a "careful review of the totality of information that came to our attention." Thom Brodeur, chairman of Miss USA, commented on social media that the organization "does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity." He added that a title is a "position of trust" and that "when that standard is broken, the title cannot continue as though nothing happened." Brodeur indicated that the decision stemmed from "conduct over an extended period of time" rather than a single incident.
Boltinhouse expressed that her pageant experience, which began last year, transformed from a "dream to a nightmare" following the controversy. Despite the outcome, she stated she was proud to have received the Miss Congeniality award, noting she was the first married woman to receive it. She also said she had made peace with her departure from the pageant.
Hadley, the successor to the Miss North Carolina title, thanked supporters on Instagram, acknowledging the prestige of the crown and expressing readiness to represent North Carolina at the national pageant. She noted that she had been preparing for the Miss USA competition since she first joined the organization.