The controversy surrounding former Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse and the loss of her crown took another turn Friday.
Boltinhouse, who grew up in Duplin County and was crowned Miss Wilmington earlier this year, spoke publicly about losing her Miss North Carolina USA title after the Miss USA organization said she did not adhere to its standards.
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In an interview with Carolina Journal published Friday, Boltinhouse said she believes her political views and faith played a role in the decision.
“As of today, I believe I was stripped of my title because of my political stance and my belief system as a conservative Christian woman,” she told Carolina Journal, a North Carolina-focused news and commentary outlet published by the John Locke Foundation.
Boltinhouse acknowledged that she does not know for certain why she lost the title.
“I don’t know,” she said. “All I can say from the information I have today is what I believe and I think. Honestly, I don’t know; I wasn’t really given anything.”
Boltinhouse also said she should not be judged for old social media posts but did not elaborate on their content.
Thom Brodeur, chairman of Miss USA, said the organization “does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity.”
The 75th annual Miss USA pageant is scheduled for Aug. 27 in Miami. Miss North Carolina USA runner-up Myla Hadley will assume the state title and compete in Boltinhouse’s place at the national pageant.