Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse has been stripped of her crown less than three weeks before she was scheduled to compete in the Miss USA pageant. The decision came after organizers cited an extended pattern of conduct that violated the organization's standards.
Miss USA Chairman Thom Brodeur stated that the organization "does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity." He added that the conduct occurred "over an extended period of time" but did not specify the exact nature of the behavior.
Myla Hadley, the first runner-up in the state competition, will now represent North Carolina at the national pageant on Aug. 27. Brodeur expressed full confidence in Hadley.
The decision to remove Boltinhouse's crown was made in consultation with Boltinhouse, her state directors, and the Miss USA organization. Brodeur emphasized that while the organization maintains a "zero tolerance" standard for conduct, accountability should not come at the expense of a person's humanity.
"There is a young woman at the center of this," Brodeur said. "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."
Boltinhouse is expected to release her own statement addressing the matter, which Brodeur has reviewed. He described her statement as demonstrating "ownership, accountability and apology."
Brodeur indicated a belief in the possibility of change, stating, "Change is not a statement. It is a record. It is built over time, in the open, through conduct rather than apology alone."
A Blaize Productions, the state pageant organizer, also announced the decision following a "thorough review of recently surfaced information," without elaborating on the allegations. The organization requested that supporters extend kindness and respect to both Boltinhouse and Hadley during the transition.
Hadley acknowledged the circumstances of her sudden ascension to the Miss North Carolina USA title, stating in a social media post that she understands the "seriousness and level of prestige that this title carries." She added that she has been preparing to represent North Carolina at Miss USA since she first competed with the organization and is ready for the role.