Miss North Carolina USA stripped of title over 'racism comments' as official statement issued

Miss North Carolina USA 2026 has been stripped of her title just four weeks later after alleged social media posts sparked backlash.

Brittany Boltinhouse won the title on 28 June; however, now, first runner-up Myla Hadley will take over the title of Miss North Carolina USA 2026.

Several organisations involved in the comp have since issued statements about the decision to strip Boltinhouse of her title after the discovery of the alleged posts.

Thom Brodeur is the chairman of Miss USA, and shared a lengthy statement on 5 August about the situation, stressing that the 'decision was made together with her, her state directors, and in consultation with the Miss USA Organisation.'

While he did not specify what was in the alleged social media posts, he did say that the 'Miss USA Organisation does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia, nor language that strips any person of their dignity.'

He also advised that Boltinhouse will release her own statement soon to 'speak to this in her own voice'.

Regarding Boltinhouse's alleged conduct, Brodeur said it was 'over an extended period of time' and that the 'standard' of the organisation was 'broken'.

He added that he 'stands behind' the decision 'without qualification'.

"Now I want to say the harder part, because it is just as true as how any or many of us may feel," he continued. "There is a young woman at the centre 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 organisation 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 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," he added.

A-Blaize Productions is the company that oversees Miss USA pageants in several Southern states, and it also shared a statement about the 'responsibility' that the Miss America title holds, but stressed that 'one mistake does not have to define an entire life' and that the 'decision was not made lightly'.

“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 organisation 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 honour of wearing the crown.

"After careful consideration, multiple conversations, and in consultation with the Miss USA Organisation, 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 organisation.

"We recognise 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."