Former Miss North Carolina USA’s lawyer says his client ‘will not be canceled’

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An attorney said Monday his firm has evidence that the dethroned Miss North Carolina USA was targeted for her political and religious beliefs.

Brittany Boltinhouse, of the Eeastern North Carolina town of Beulaville, was stripped of the 2026 Miss North Carolina USA title because of conduct “over an extended period of time” that violated Miss USA standards, Miss USA CEO Thom Brodeur wrote in an Aug. 5 statement.

As of Tuesday, Miss USA has not said publicly how Boltinhouse violated its policies. Brodeur said in his statement that Miss USA “does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity — no matter who they are.”

Boltinhouse, who is Mormon, said in an Aug. 7 interview with the Carolina Journal that she believed her religious beliefs and conservative political views cost her the title.

A Blaize Productions, license holder for Miss North Carolina USA, denied that Boltinhouse was dethroned because of her politics or religion in a Saturday statement to The News & Observer. The company wrote that the reasons “were clearly shared and expressed” to her.

In a video Boltinhouse co-posted on Instagram on Monday, attorney Patrick Mincey, of the firm Mincey Bell Rhoades, said the firm’s investigation into Boltinhouse’s treatment was “national in scope” and obtained recorded statements of pageant officials acknowledging there was no “legitimate or legal basis for their decision to strip Brittany of her title.”

“The evidence developed thus far confirms a deeply concerning pattern: Brittany has been targeted because of her Christian faith and her conservative political views,” Mincey said.

Mincey said the removal of Boltinhouse’s title was “another troubling example of cancel culture.” He called Boltinhouse the “very best of the American dream,” pointing to her background as a daughter of immigrants who grew up in rural North Carolina and how she won four of five awards at the June Miss North Carolina USA competition despite being a newcomer to pageantry.

“Brittany Boltinhouse earned her crown,” Mincey said. “She earned the respect and admiration of millions who support her. And one thing is for certain: Brittany Boltinhouse will not be canceled.”

Boltinhouse, was set to become the third Latina and first Honduran woman to represent North Carolina at Miss USA. She won Miss Wilmington and Miss North Carolina USA despite only starting to compete in pageants in December 2025, she told the Carolina Journal.

The N&O asked Miss USA and A Blaize Productions on Tuesday if they have any comment regarding Mincey Bell Rhoades’ investigation.

Mincey Bell Rhoades’ most notable clients include whistleblowers who alleged that Truth Social, President Donald Trump’s social media company, accepted loans from entities with ties to allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As it stands, Myla Hadley, who finished second at the June Miss North Carolina USA pageant, holds the title and will represent North Carolina at the Miss USA pageant on Aug. 24-27 in Miami.

Mincey stopped short of saying his firm would sue Miss USA or A Blaize Productions on Monday, saying only that his firm was “honored” to represent Boltinhouse ahead of “anticipated legal action.”

The N&O emailed Mincey on Tuesday to ask whether his firm will seek a temporary injunction to allow Boltinhouse to compete at Miss USA.

This story was originally published August 11, 2026 at 1:39 PM with the headline “Former Miss North Carolina USA’s lawyer says his client ‘will not be canceled’.”