Miss North Carolina USA Dethroned After Alleged Racist Posts Surface

Miss USA 2025 Winner: Miss Nebraska, Audrey Eckert, CrownedMiss USA is holding its winners accountable. The organization announced that Miss North Carolina USA 2026 Brittany Boltinhouse—who was set to compete at the national Miss USA pageant on Aug. 27—has been removed from her position in the wake of past offensive messages coming to light. “The decision was made together with her, her state directors and in consultation with the miss USA organization,” Miss USA’s Chairman, President and CEO Thom Brodeur shared in an Aug. 5 statement. Noting he wanted to address the public directly, he added, “Miss USA organization does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity—whoever they are. That is not a policy written for a press release. It is the floor of what it means to represent this brand.” E! News has reached out to Boltinhouse for comment but has not yet heard back. She has yet to comment publicly on the claims and previously denied to share comment with local North Carolina outlet WWAY. Brodeur noted that Miss USA title isn’t “a trinket” but rather a “position of trust,” and therefore any breaking of their standards must be addressed. “What was brought to us was not a single moment,” he added. “It reflected conduct over an extended period of time. That is why this outcome was reached, and I stand behind it without qualification. State titleholders are recruited, vetted and approved for competition at the state level. We acted as soon as this reached us.” But at the same time, Brodeur also expressed his hope that Boltinhouse, 27, would be met with empathy. “There is a young woman at the center of this,” he wrote. “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.” Brittany Boltinhouse/InstagramWhile Boltinhouse had yet to release her statement at the time of publishing, Hadley reacted to her ascension, expressing gratitude for the support she’d received within the first few hours of receiving the title. “I understand the seriousness and level of prestige that this title carries, and I can confidently say that both my team and I are ready to take this on,” the 24-year-old added in her statement shared to her Instagram Story. “While this may seem like a two-week turnaround given the circumstances, I've been preparing to represent at Miss USA since I first competed with this organization. I am ready to represent North Carolina.” “While it does not undo the harm, and it does not change the outcome, it is the beginning of the only thing that ever repairs harm, which is change,” he added. “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,” he continued. “It is a record. It is built over time, in the open, through conduct rather than apology alone.” Wishing Boltinhouse well, Brodeur confirmed that the runner up for Miss North Carolina USA 2026, Myla Hadley, will assume the position with the organizations “full confidence” and support. Myla Hadley/InstagramWhile Boltinhouse had yet to release her statement at the time of publishing, Hadley reacted to her ascension, expressing gratitude for the support she’d received within the first few hours of receiving the title. “I understand the seriousness and level of prestige that this title carries, and I can confidently say that both my team and I are ready to take this on,” the 24-year-old added in her statement shared to her Instagram Story. “While this may seem like a two-week turnaround given the circumstances, I've been preparing to represent at Miss USA since I first competed with this organization. I am ready to represent North Carolina.” For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App