A North Carolina court has delivered a landmark verdict against popular TikTok personality Brenay Kennard, ordering her to pay a staggering $1.75 million in damages for wrecking a married couple's relationship.
The Marriage Destruction Case
The jury in Durham, North Carolina found Kennard liable for having an affair with her manager, Tim Montague, while he was still married to his wife Akira Montague. The lawsuit revealed that the relationship played out both in person and across social media platforms, causing significant damage to the Montague family.
Brenay Kennard, who boasts nearly 3 million followers on TikTok, was found guilty of two specific charges: criminal conversation and alienation of affection. The latter is an unusual legal provision that remains active in only a handful of American states, allowing spouses to sue third parties they believe interfered with their marriage.
Emotional Trauma and Family Breakdown
Akira Montague presented compelling evidence about the devastating impact the affair had on her life and family. She testified that the relationship caused severe emotional trauma, negatively affected her health, and deprived her children of a stable two-parent household.
Her attorney, Robonetta Jones, declared that the verdict represented justice for her client. "She has received justice from losing her husband and the father of her children," Jones stated after the court's decision.
The situation escalated when Tim Montague ultimately left his wife to be with Kennard, cementing the family breakdown that formed the basis of the lawsuit.
Defense and Counterclaims
Following the unfavorable verdict, Brenay Kennard fired back with her own version of events. She claimed that Akira Montague had been aware that her marriage was already beyond repair and had essentially given consent for the relationship to develop.
"She gave her consent. She said it was okay because she knew her marriage was over," Kennard asserted in her post-verdict statements.
However, the jury ultimately sided with the plaintiff, awarding one of the largest settlements ever seen in such cases. The substantial $1.75 million judgment sends a strong message about the serious consequences of interfering in marital relationships, even in today's modern social media landscape.
The case highlights how traditional laws like alienation of affection can still have significant impact in the digital age, particularly when social media influencers with large followings become involved in personal relationships that cross legal and ethical boundaries.
