Producers of the Miss North Carolina USA pageant have denied ex-winner Brittany Boltinhouse’s assertion that she lost her crown due to her conservative Christian beliefs.
“A Blaize Productions’ decision was not based on Brittany Boltinhouse’s political views, religious beliefs, or protected personal viewpoints. Our organization includes people from various backgrounds, political views, personal beliefs and values. We welcome and celebrate that,” a rep for A Blaize Productions said in a statement to The Post Saturday.
“The decision followed a careful review of the totality of information that came to our attention, including previously undisclosed conduct and public content spanning multiple years that was inconsistent with the standards and responsibilities expected of a Miss North Carolina USA titleholder under the agreements governing the position,” the statement continued.
Organizers of the Miss North Carolina USA pageant criticized ex-winner Brittany Boltinhouse’s claim that she was stripped of her crown for being a conservative Christian. @espino. sosa/Instagram
The company mentioned that based on “the totality of the circumstances” they determined Boltinhouse could no longer wear the crown.
Boltinhouse, 27, was officially stripped of her title on Aug. 5 after posts allegedly showing her using the N-word resurfaced, local outlet NC Beat reported.
However, in an interview with the Carolina Journal Friday, Boltinhouse stated she believes her religious affiliation and political views led to her dethronement.
“I believe and think I was stripped from my title because of my political stance and my belief system as a conservative Christian woman,” Boltinhouse said.
Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse was stripped of her title after alleged racist posts resurfaced. @espino. sosa/Instagram
“I am proud of my faith – I am proud of my standards,” said the member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I believe we believe that we are a nation under God, and that’s who I am and that’s who my parents taught me to be – is a person who loves this country because this country has given me opportunity, and opportunity to show my religious beliefs, and I am proud of that,” she said.
Start your day with all you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
!
Miss USA President and CEO Thom Brodeur remarked in a statement following Boltinhouse’s dethroning that the organization “does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity – whoever they are.”
“A title here isn’t a trinket. It is a position of trust, extended by an organization and accepted by a woman who agrees to carry a standard in public. When that standard is broken, the title cannot continue as though nothing happened,” he said.
The crown has now been passed to Miss North Carolina USA first runner-up Myla Hadley, who will represent Tar Heel State in the Miss USA pageant starting in Miami on Aug. 24.
Source link
