Miss North Carolina USA title revoked over alleged breach of pageant values
The Miss North Carolina USA organization removed Brittany Boltinhouse as titleholder, citing failure to uphold the pageant's standards, and named first runner-up Myla Hadley as the state's representative for the upcoming Miss USA competition.
The Miss North Carolina USA organization announced Wednesday that Brittany Boltinhouse, 27, will no longer serve as the state's titleholder and will not compete in the Miss USA 2026 pageant in Miami. The decision follows a review by Blaize Productions, the competition's organizers, who said Boltinhouse did not meet the "standards and values" required of titleholders.
"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," the statement read.
The organization added that, after consultation with the Miss USA Organization, it concluded Boltinhouse's reign was over. Miss USA President and CEO Thom Brodeur issued a separate comment emphasizing that the pageant "does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia, nor language that strips any person of their dignity — whoever they are."
First runner-up Myla Hadley will now represent North Carolina at the Miss USA competition scheduled for Aug. 27. Boltinhouse has not responded to requests for comment, though she posted a cryptic message on social media warning followers to be cautious about advice.