Popular North Carolina influencer Brenay Kennard, known to her nearly 3 million TikTok followers for her lifestyle content and candid humor, has been hit with a $1.75 million judgment after a jury found her responsible for destroying another woman’s marriage.
The verdict, handed down this week in Orange County Superior Court, stems from a lawsuit filed by Akira Montague, who accused Kennard of having a long-running affair with her husband, Tim Montague, and ultimately “alienating his affection.”
North Carolina remains one of the few states where so-called “heart balm” laws — including alienation of affection and criminal conversation — still exist, allowing jilted spouses to sue third parties accused of breaking up their marriages.
A Social Media Affair Turned Courtroom Drama
According to court filings, Akira and Tim Montague married in 2018 and shared two young children. But Akira says her family life crumbled after Kennard — who also served as Tim’s business manager — began a romantic relationship with him.
The lawsuit accused Kennard of “seducing and flaunting” the affair publicly, including through social media posts that hinted at the relationship.
The jury sided with Akira, awarding her $1.5 million for alienation of affection and $250,000 for criminal conversation, a legal term referring to adultery.
Akira’s attorney, Robonetta Jones, called the decision a victory for accountability in the age of social media spectacle.
“Our client lost her marriage and the father of her children,” Jones said. “This verdict reaffirms that public influence doesn’t place anyone above basic decency or the law.”
Kennard’s Defense: ‘It Was Already Over’
Representing herself during the trial, Kennard claimed the marriage had already “collapsed” when she and Tim began their relationship.
She argued that Akira had privately acknowledged the separation and that the lawsuit was “about money, not heartbreak.”
Kennard also suggested she was targeted because of her online fame.
“I was an easy mark,” she reportedly told jurors. “People think if you’re an influencer, you must have money or a perfect life — but that’s just not reality.”
Despite her defense, jurors appeared unswayed by her argument.
Both Kennard and Tim Montague have since remarried, though neither commented publicly following the verdict.
A Rare Legal Relic With Modern Consequences
The case has reignited debate about the alienation of affection law, a relic of 19th-century jurisprudence still enforced in fewer than half a dozen U.S. states, including North Carolina, Mississippi, and South Dakota.
Critics argue that the statute is outdated and punitive, while supporters say it provides a crucial remedy for the emotional and familial damage caused by infidelity.
Legal analyst Dr. Mariah Edmonds told The Carolina Ledger that such cases, though rare, highlight the intersection between personal relationships and public image.
“When social media amplifies private behavior, the emotional harm becomes very public,” she said. “This verdict reminds us that even in the influencer era, the law still recognizes the human cost of betrayal.”
A Viral Lesson on Privacy and Accountability
For Kennard, whose TikTok feed often featured relationship advice and motivational clips, the outcome is a dramatic reversal. The lawsuit has sparked widespread online discussion about boundaries, digital exposure, and the blurred line between personal content and personal consequences.
Whether the influencer plans to appeal remains unclear. But one thing is certain — her case serves as a cautionary tale about the enduring reach of old laws in a new-media age.
“Fame doesn’t shield you from the fallout of private choices,” said Edmonds. “It often magnifies them.”
