Former Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse is breaking her silence about losing her title weeks after winning the state pageant.
A Blaize Productions, which holds the state license for the Miss North Carolina USA pageant, said in an Aug. 5 statement the decision to take back Boltinhouse's title "followed a thorough review of recently surfaced information" that did not uphold the organization's standards and values.
In a video interview with Carolina Journal posted Aug. 7, Boltinhouse said she believes her political and religious beliefs played a role in the removal of her winning title, while clarifying she couldn't get into specifics because of a confidentiality clause she'd signed. She added that she is a member of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints and a known Mormon.
"I'm not allowed to speak about things, but as of today, I believe and think I was stripped from my title because of my political stance and my belief system as a conservative Christian woman," she told the outlet.
USA TODAY has reached out to A Blaize Productions and the Miss North Carolina USA pageant for comment.
"I will say 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. "Things may happen decades ago, but I am here to talk about the hard-working woman, the woman who was standing there as Miss North Carolina USA. I won fair and square."
'It went from a dream to a nightmare really fast'
The entrepreneur said the Miss North Carolina USA competition was her first-ever pageant and an experience she thoroughly enjoyed before everything that occurred afterward, adding, "It went from a dream to a nightmare really fast."
"My title was ripped from me because of my beliefs," she said. "I believe that I've been judged and interpreted with this narrative that is just not true. And that's why I'm here to clear my story and fight for my reputation from the fruits of my work, because they have a perspective of me, and I understand to certain extents, but at the same time, I don't."
She continued: "I won't be judged for my past, and I won't be judged at all because I am the woman I am today."
Despite the distress she experienced, Boltinhouse said she is grateful that the events that occurred happened to her instead of a vulnerable young girl. She explained that her faith, strength, and confidence in her own belief system as a "god-fearing woman" have allowed her to handle the scrutiny.
Boltinhouse said she hopes to serve as an example for others to stand "for what you believe no matter what, no matter where, no matter what you do."
"Even if you're not conservative … you have the right to speak the way you feel no matter what platform, no matter what belief system you have. We live in a country that we have that ability, and I think that's beautiful, and I utilize it every single day, and you have the right to," she concluded.
What did the Miss North Carolina USA pageant say?
Following Boltinhouse's title being removed, Miss North Carolina USA and Miss USA organizers released a statement about the specifics of the decision.
Thom Brodeur, CEO of Miss USA, confirmed Boltinhouse's exit and denounced hate speech in a statement.
"What was brought to us was not a single moment. It reflected conduct over an extended period of time. That is why this outcome was reached, and I stand behind it without qualification," Brodeur said.
He also added in his statement that the "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."
Boltinhouse was crowned Miss North Carolina USA on June 28. Myla Hadley, the first runner-up, will now assume the title and move forward at the Miss USA pageant later this month, organizers confirmed.
Contributing: Melina Khan, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miss North Carolina breaks silence in interview after losing title
