Brittany Boltinhouse dethroned as Miss North Carolina USA after alleged past social media posts resurface

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Just weeks before the Miss USA competition, Brittany Boltinhouse has been stripped of her title as Miss North Carolina USA 2026 after past social media posts resurfaced and sparked public criticism.

A-Blaize Productions, the company that oversees Miss USA pageants in several Southern states, announced that Brittany Boltinhouse has been stripped of her Miss North Carolina USA title after past social media posts resurfaced and drew public criticism.

In a statement, the organization said,

“At A Blaize Productions, our mission has always been to empower women to lead with integrity, courage, accountability, and purpose. We believe that people are capable of growth, that grace and accountability can coexist, and that one mistake does not have to define an entire life.

We also believe that leadership carries a unique responsibility. As an organization entrusted with selecting and preparing women to represent our states on the national stage, we must uphold the standards and values that our titleholders agree to embrace when accepting the honor of wearing the crown.

After careful consideration, multiple conversations, and in consultation with the Miss USA Organization, A Blaize Productions has made the difficult decision to conclude Brittany Boltinhouse’s reign as Miss North Carolina USA 2026.

This 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.

We recognize the hard work Brittany invested in earning the title and sincerely thank her for the time, dedication, and commitment she gave throughout this process. We wish her nothing but the very best as she moves forward.

In accordance with our succession procedures, Myla Hadley, First Runner-Up, will assume the title of Miss North Carolina USA 2026. We have every confidence that she will represent North Carolina with grace, professionalism, and dedication as she prepares for Miss USA.

We ask our pageant family, supporters, and the public to extend kindness and respect to both Brittany and Myla during this transition. 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.”

Boltinhouse, a Duplin County native who now lives in Leland, told WWAY by phone that she does not wish to comment at this time.

As a result of the decision, first runner-up Myla Hadley will assume the title and represent North Carolina at the Miss USA pageant.

Jeff Phillips, a Wilmington resident and longtime pageant judge at both the local and state levels, said the situation serves as a reminder that contestants’ public image extends beyond the stage.

“The one thing I always tell the young women with whom I work is, ‘Remember that your brand is you, and that you need to, at all costs, make sure that your brand is not tarnished and that it can stand up to public scrutiny,'” Phillips said.

Thom Brodeur, chairman of Miss USA, also addressed the decision in a statement posted to social media.

“Today, Brittany Boltinhouse’s reign as Miss North Carolina USA 2026 came to an end. The decision was made together with her, her state directors, and in consultation with the Miss USA Organization.

Brittany will soon issue her own statement, and that sequencing was deliberate—she should be the one to speak to this in her own voice. We wanted to honor that.

I want to speak to the issue plainly because our titleholders, our state directors, fans, and every young woman watching deserves to hear where I stand.

The Miss USA Organization does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia, nor language that strips any person of their dignity—whoever they are. That is not a policy written for a press release. It is the floor of what it means to represent this brand.

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.

When that standard is broken, the title cannot continue as though nothing happened.

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.

State titleholders are recruited, vetted, and approved for competition at the state level. We acted as soon as this reached us.

And now I want to say the harder part, because it is just as true as how any or many of us may feel.

There is a young woman at the center of this. 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 not permission to strip someone of their humanity—which is, after all, precisely the thing we are holding her accountable for doing to others.

I have seen Brittany’s statement. There is 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.

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. I’m also quite aware that change is not a statement. It is a record. It is built over time, in the open, through conduct rather than apology alone.

Brittany has time to build that record, and I genuinely believe she will. 

Brittany, I wish you well. These are moments where reflection leads to possibility and growth. I believe the best you have to offer this world is ahead of you, and that is a promise worth making to and keeping for yourself. 

Myla Hadlye assumes the title of Miss North Carolina USA 2026 with our full confidence and our support. What’s next, is best.”

This is a developing story, and WWAY will provide updates as more information becomes available.