Miss 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.
