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SAVING FACE

Dethroned Beauty Queen’s Family Pushes Back on Explosive Racism Claims

A relative of Brittany Boltinhouse, who was booted from the national competition just weeks after winning her state’s top title, broke their silence on the accusations against her.

Roosa RahkonenReporter, The Looker

PublishedAug 7, 2026, 5:44 PM EDT

UpdatedAug 7, 2026, 5:48 PM EDT

Updated Aug 7, 2026, 5:48 PM EDTPublished Aug 7, 2026, 5:44 PM EDT

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The family of a Miss USA contestant who was dethroned over allegations of racist behavior is breaking their silence and speaking out about the accusations against her.

When Brittany Boltinhouse won North Carolina’s top title on June 28, she wrote on Instagram that she felt honored to be “the first Honduran to represent North Carolina at Miss USA.”

But on August 5, the 27-year-old beauty queen was stripped of her crown following allegations that she made racist posts online.

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In a statement, Miss USA chairman Thom Brodeur did not specify the incidents that led the pageant to strip her of the title. North Carolina news outlet NCBeat shared screenshots of a Twitter account it connected to Boltinhouse named “Sosa the Stallion” using the N-word multiple times between 2017 and 2019. The Looker could not independently confirm if Boltinhouse owned the account or authored the posts.

Boltinhouse, who goes by @espino.sosa on Instagram, has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.

Brodeur said in his statement that the “Miss USA organization does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia, nor language that strips any person of their dignity.” The organization, he said, had learned of Boltinhouse practicing behavior unsuited for a competitor “over an extended period of time.”

On Friday, The Daily Mail published an interview with an unnamed member of Boltinhouse’s family.

“I think it’s important to put her truth out and have the proper narrative out versus a narrative that is saving the face [of] an organization,” the relative said.

They added, “As you can imagine, there’s a lot we would like to say, but we are taking the time to be in prayer and unity and [will] respond in a manner [that] God calls us to.”

After her June victory, Boltinhouse thanked her family on Instagram for their support, writing, “Mom and Dad… thank you for being the foundation of the woman I am today. Your sacrifices, your faith, and your love built the character that stands beneath this crown.”

Boltinhouse has previously posted about religion on her Instagram, writing on July 29, “Your past doesn’t define you./Your mistakes don’t disqualify you./Your failures don’t determine your future./ God has a way of using the very things you thought would hold you back to shape the person He created you to become.”

First runner-up Myla Hadley, 24, will compete in Boltinhouse’s place at the 75th Miss USA competition from August 24 to August 27.

Miss North Carolina producer company, A Blaize Productions, wrote in a statement that they have strong belief in Hadley’s ability to rise to the occasion: “We have every confidence that she will represent North Carolina with grace, professionalism, and dedication as she prepares for Miss USA.”

Hadley wrote in her Instagram stories that she was not intimidated even though she will have less than three weeks to prepare for the national stage.

“I am extremely grateful and humbled by all the encouraging messages and the support I’ve received,” she wrote. “I am ready to represent North Carolina.”

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Brodeur wrote in his statement that Boltinhouse will soon come forward with a statement regarding the situation, which, according to him, will show “ownership, accountability, and apology.”

Brittany Boltinhouse did not respond to The Looker’s request for comment and has turned off her Instagram messages.

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Roosa RahkonenReporter, The Looker

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