Raleigh, North Carolina — Former Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse has sued the Miss USA organization and state pageant operators, alleging they defamed her by portraying her as racist, homophobic and transphobic after stripping her of her title earlier this month.
The lawsuit, filed in Duplin County Superior Court, names Miss USA Chairman Thom Brodeur, JKN Universe LLC and A Blaize Productions LLC. Boltinhouse is not challenging the pageant’s authority to remove her or asking to be reinstated. Instead, she claims statements made after her removal damaged her reputation and professional opportunities.
Boltinhouse acknowledges that old social-media posts resurfaced, including six posts from 2017 and 2019 in which she used a racial slur as a teenager. She argues, however, that pageant officials used those posts along with her support for President Donald Trump and the late Charlie Kirk to create a misleading public narrative about her views.
Her complaint also alleges officials pressured her to approve an apology portraying her as bigoted and later referenced that statement publicly despite her objections.
Miss USA previously said Boltinhouse was removed after a review of conduct that conflicted with the organization’s standards. The lawsuit seeks damages and a jury trial.
Runner-up Myla Hadley replaced Boltinhouse and will represent North Carolina at the Miss USA competition beginning Aug. 27.
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