Miss North Carolina USA stripped of title after 'information' surfaces

Miss North Carolina USA has been stripped of her title after a "thorough review" of information that surfaced, organisers of the event say.

Pageant organiser A Blaize Productions did not share details, but stated that it had made the "difficult decision" to "conclude Brittany Boltinhouse's reign" as Miss North Carolina USA.

"The Miss USA organization does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity," Thom Brodeur, president of the Miss USA organisation said in a separate statement.

It is unclear what "information" was found. Brodeur said Boltinhouse had apologised and would release a statement of her own. The BBC contacted her for comment.

"What was brought to us was not a single moment," Brodeur said. "It reflected conduct over an extended period of time. That is why this outcome was reached, and I stand behind it without qualification."

Boltinhouse, 27, won the title in June and was preparing to represent her state at the 75th annual Miss USA pageant in Miami later this month.

She was formally dethroned of her title on Wednesday.

"This decision was not made lightly," the organisers said in a statement. "It followed a thorough review of recently surfaced information and was based on the totality of the circumstances and our responsibility to preserve the integrity of the Miss North Carolina USA title and the values of our organization."

Runner-up, Myla Hadley, will now represent the state at the Miss USA pageant in Miami. The winner of that pageant will represent the US at the Miss Universe pageant in November.

Hadley thanked her supporters while acknowledging the task ahead.

"I understand the seriousness and level of prestige that this title carries, and I can confidently say that both my team and I are ready to take this on," she said in a statement on Instagram.

"While this may seem like a two-week turnaround given the circumstances, I've been preparing to represent at Miss USA since I first competed with this organization. I am ready to represent North Carolina."