Miss North Carolina USA title reassigned after undisclosed controversy
Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse was stripped of her crown following a review of newly surfaced information, and runner-up Myla Hadley will represent the state at the Miss USA pageant.
Brittany Boltinhouse, a Duplin County resident who had previously won the Miss Wilmington title, was removed as Miss North Carolina USA after pageant organizers said a "thorough review of recently surfaced information" prompted the decision. The runner-up, Myla Hadley, who previously held the Miss Charlotte title, will assume the state crown and compete at the 75th Miss USA pageant scheduled for August 27.
Blaize Productions, which runs pageants in the Carolinas, asked the public to treat both women with kindness and respect during the transition, emphasizing its mission to empower future women leaders. Thom Brodeur, chairman of Miss USA, reiterated a zero-tolerance policy for racism, homophobia, transphobia and demeaning language, stating that a title is a position of trust that cannot be maintained when standards are breached.
Brodeur noted that the organization holds contestants accountable while still respecting their humanity, and said Boltinhouse would issue her own statement soon. Hadley expressed gratitude for public support and affirmed her readiness to represent North Carolina at the national competition.