Former Miss North Carolina USA sues Miss USA pageant, alleges defamation over statements made after dethroning

Losing a crown is one thing. Being publicly defamed afterwards, says Brittany Boltinhouse, is another. She filed a civil defamation lawsuit in Duplin County Superior Court on August 23, naming the Miss USA organisation, its chairman Thom Brodeur, and North Carolina pageant operators as defendants. Boltinhouse claims statements made about her afterward painted a false and damaging picture of her character, arguing it hurt her reputation and cost her professional opportunities. The lawsuit references old social media posts from 2017 and 2019, including racial slurs, and more recent posts showing her support for Donald Trump, Charlie Kirk, and Andrew and Tristan Tate, as well as criticism of a Biden administration proclamation. Boltinhouse asserts her political and religious views—not the resurfaced posts—were the real reason she lost her title. She alleges officials pushed her to sign an apology statement she felt was misrepresentative and later referenced it publicly, making it seem she approved it. She seeks compensation for reputational and emotional damage, lost opportunities including the Miss USA title, sponsorships, and endorsements, and punitive damages. Her attorney described her as publicly branded with a scarlet letter for alleged despicable accusations.