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Miss North Carolina loses crown after allegations

Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse has been removed from her title following a review of information that recently came to light, pageant organisers announced.

A Blaize Productions, which runs the state pageant, said it had made the decision to end Boltinhouse’s reign after examining the circumstances. The organisers did not disclose the nature of the information that prompted the review.

Miss USA organisation president Thom Brodeur said the organisation does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia or language that degrades or strips people of their dignity.

Brodeur said the issue was not linked to a single incident. According to him, the information presented to the organisation pointed to conduct that had allegedly occurred over an extended period.

He said Boltinhouse had apologised and was expected to issue a statement addressing the matter. She has not publicly provided details about the circumstances leading to her removal.

Boltinhouse, 27, won the Miss North Carolina USA title in June. She had been preparing to represent the state at the 75th Miss USA competition in Miami later this month.

Organisers said the decision was not taken lightly and followed a “thorough review” of recently surfaced information. They said the action was necessary to protect the integrity of the title and uphold the organisation’s standards.

The state’s runner-up, Myla Hadley, will now take over the title and represent North Carolina at the Miss USA pageant.

Hadley said she understood the significance and responsibility attached to the position and was prepared to take on the role despite the short notice.

She said she had been preparing to represent North Carolina at the national competition since she first entered the organisation’s pageant system.

The winner of the upcoming Miss USA competition will go on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in November.

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