He Wanted to Return Pageants to Glory. Now Miss USA’s Boss Has Bigger Problems.

Thom Brodeur, the new CEO of Miss USA, took the helm with the goal of revitalizing the pageant's image after years of controversies, including rigging investigations and resignations. Brodeur, founder of Brodeur Beauty and a longtime pageant coach, expressed his intention to usher in a new era for the 74-year-old organization, a sentiment echoed by former Miss USA Noelia Voigt.

However, Brodeur's tenure has quickly been embroiled in a legal battle. Brittany Boltinhouse, the dethroned Miss North Carolina USA 2026, has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Miss USA organization, Brodeur, and state organizers A Blaize Productions LLC. Boltinhouse alleges that her title was stripped because she is a "conservative Christian" and that the defendants "maliciously coordinat[ed] to publish a false public narrative portraying Brittany Boltinhouse as a racist, homophobe, transphobe and intolerable bigot."

Brodeur's August 5 statement, which announced Boltinhouse's dethroning, did not specify the exact conduct but stated the organization "does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia, nor language that strips any person of their dignity." The lawsuit claims that Brodeur's statement, which suggested Boltinhouse admitted to wrongdoing, deliberately gave the false impression that she was a racist, homophobe, or transphobe. Boltinhouse is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for injury to her reputation, livelihood, and emotional distress, just weeks before the Miss USA national competition, scheduled for August 24-27.

Adding to the complexities, the transition of leadership at Miss USA is not entirely clear. While Brodeur announced his role as president, chairman, and CEO on September 5, the previous CEO, Laylah Rose, publicly stated on Instagram that she was still in charge and had not seen any new contracts regarding a transfer of ownership. The Miss Universe Organization, which oversees Miss USA, is also involved, further complicating the leadership structure and the ongoing legal issues facing the organization.