RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Former Miss North Carolina USA 2026 Brittany Boltinhouse is speaking publicly for the first time since being stripped of her title, saying she believes the decision was tied to her personal beliefs.
In an exclusive on-camera interview with the Carolina Journal, Boltinhouse said she believes her title was “ripped” away because of her conservative Christian views.
When asked whether there is room for conservatives within the Miss USA organization and whether her support for President Donald Trump may have played a role in the decision, Boltinhouse said she could not discuss all the details because she signed a nondisclosure agreement.
“I don’t know,” she said. “But all I can say is that I think and believe that my title was ripped from me because of my beliefs.”
Boltinhouse said she did not want to criticize the pageant organization or state directors.
“I’m not here to diminish the Miss USA organization, nor you know the state directors … I had a great experience with them,” she said. “… But all I can say is that I think and believe that my title was ripped from me because of my beliefs.”
She also spoke about her faith, describing herself as a proud member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“So, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” she said. “I am proud of my faith. I’m proud of my standards. I’m a proud conservative woman, but a Christian woman. I’m a God-fearing woman.”
“I will never let my guard down for my faith,” she added.
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Boltinhouse described losing the title as a “blessing in disguise” despite the scrutiny she and her family have faced.
“It was a huge shock. I will say it was a lot of obviously emotional roller coaster, but it’s also a blessing in disguise. I feel like I’m very much at peace, and I’m actually glad it happened to me, and not some other young lady that you know maybe just probably wouldn’t make it through what I’m going through right now. The scrutiny, my family behind it as well. But I will say that I’m very much at peace, and I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I know who I am, and I know what I can become.”
When asked about offensive social media posts that have circulated online, Boltinhouse declined to discuss the specific allegations.
“Every teenager has made a mistake. Every person here has made a mistake. But I’m not really here to talk about that. I’m here to talk about the woman I am today,” she said.
Boltinhouse also defended her pageant accomplishments, pointing to several awards she received during the competition.
“I won fair and square four out of five awards: Miss Congeniality, Best Gown, People’s Choice, and and Fitness,” she said. “But Miss Congeniality was given to me because of my character and who I am.”
Boltinhouse shared a link to the interview on her Instagram account.
The Miss USA organization previously announced that Boltinhouse had been stripped of her title and said it does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia or language that strips others of their dignity. The organization has not publicly provided additional details about the conduct that led to the decision.
Editor’s Note: Featured video is from a previous report.
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