DURHAM, N.C. — A North Carolina jury has awarded 1.75 million Dollars in damages to a woman who accused a TikTok influencer of destroying her marriage through an extramarital affair with her husband, a case that has drawn national attention for its use of a rarely invoked legal doctrine — and sparked a wave of commentary across social media.
The defendant, Brenay Kennard, a social media personality with nearly 3 million followers on TikTok and more than 270,000 on Instagram, was found liable for criminal conversation and alienation of affection — two civil claims that remain valid under North Carolina law but have been abolished in most other states.
The plaintiff, Akira Montague, filed the suit in Durham County Court, alleging that Kennard seduced her husband, Tim Montague, who also served as Kennard’s manager. The affair, she claimed, caused her emotional distress, harmed her health, and deprived her children of a two-parent household.
“She has received justice from losing her husband and the father of her children,” said Robonetta Jones, Montague’s attorney, following the verdict.
Kennard denied wrongdoing and criticized the jury’s decision. “She gave her consent,” Kennard said of Akira Montague. “She said it was okay because she knew her marriage was over with, and it was done.”
The case has ignited debate not only in legal circles but also across TikTok, where creators have weighed in with sharply divided opinions.
“This verdict sends a strong message that social media fame does not exempt anyone from accountability,” said @LegalTeaWithTasha, a creator known for commentary on legal drama. “North Carolina’s law may be old, but it’s rooted in protecting the sanctity of marriage.”
Others questioned the fairness of the ruling. “It’s hard to believe a jury can put a price tag on heartbreak,” said @DramaDecoder, who frequently comments on influencer scandals. “Relationships are messy, and blaming one person feels reductive.”
Parenting-focused creator @MomTalkUnfiltered expressed support for the plaintiff. “As a mom, I feel for Akira. Losing your partner and having your kids watch it play out online? That’s trauma. I’m glad she got justice.”
According to court documents, Akira and Tim Montague were married in October 2018. The alleged affair unfolded both in the couple’s home and on Kennard’s social media platforms, where their relationship was reportedly visible to followers. Tim Montague eventually left his wife and moved in with Kennard.
North Carolina is one of a handful of states that still allow spouses to sue third parties for interfering in a marriage. Under the state’s alienation of affection statute, plaintiffs must demonstrate that a loving relationship existed and that the defendant’s actions contributed to its breakdown.
The case adds to a growing list of high-profile alienation of affection lawsuits in North Carolina. In 2011, a Raleigh woman was awarded $30 million in damages — the largest known settlement of its kind in the state. More recently, former state Sen. Rick Gunn paid $3 million to settle a suit filed by a man who accused Gunn of having a long-running affair with his wife, a legislative assistant.
Legal experts say such cases, while rare, underscore the enduring power of personal relationships in civil litigation. “Alienation of affection laws may seem antiquated,” said one attorney, “but they reflect a broader societal interest in protecting the institution of marriage — even in the age of influencers.”
