In a legal battle that has gripped social media and exposed the messy reality behind a lifestyle influencer’s curated feed, 26-year-old TikTok star Brenay Kennard has been ordered to pay a staggering $1.75 million (approximately R30 million) for her role in the collapse of a marriage. The case, which reads like a plot from a daytime soap opera, has seen the North Carolina-based makeup guru sued for "alienation of affection" and "criminal conversation"—archaic legal claims that still carry massive weight in a handful of American states.
Brenay, known to her millions of followers for her flawless makeup tutorials and aspirational lifestyle content, found herself at the centre of a firestorm when Akira Montague filed a lawsuit in 2024. Akira alleged that the influencer had deliberately and maliciously interfered with her marriage to Timothy Montague, ultimately leading to their divorce in March 2024. The jury agreed, handing down a verdict that has left Brenay’s high-flying lifestyle in serious jeopardy.
The details of the betrayal are particularly stinging. Akira and Timothy had been married since 2018, sharing a home and raising two children together. During their marriage, they frequently socialised with Timothy’s first cousin, Devon Mayo, and his wife—none other than Brenay herself. The two couples were close, having spent years as family members and friends. However, beneath the surface of these family gatherings, a secret romance was allegedly brewing.
The discovery of the affair was as modern as it was devastating. In January 2024, Akira reportedly found a video of her husband and Brenay together, confirming her worst fears. Akira’s legal team argued that Brenay had used her position as a trusted family member to gather confidential information about the couple’s marriage problems, which she then used to “seduce” Timothy.
“She has received justice from losing her husband and the father of her children,” said Akira’s lawyer, Robonetta Jones, following the initial verdict.
The legal claims of "alienation of affection" and "criminal conversation" are unique to only a few states in the US, including North Carolina. To win an alienation of affection claim, a plaintiff must prove that a loving marriage existed, that the love was destroyed, and that a third party was the direct cause of that destruction. Criminal conversation, on the other hand, allows a spouse to sue for damages specifically when someone has sexual relations with their partner.
In Akira’s case, the evidence was reportedly overwhelming. Her team presented sexual videos, intimate text messages, and even a video of Brenay boldly stating that she “can’t wait to be Mrs Montague.” Akira also claimed that Brenay’s tactics were deliberate and flirtatious, alleging that the TikToker “intentionally wore short skirts and [was] twirling her hair in a flirtatious manner” to catch Timothy’s eye.
Perhaps most galling for Akira was the way the new relationship was allegedly flaunted. Her legal team argued that the affair was showcased to Brenay’s millions of social media followers, effectively rubbing the betrayal in Akira’s face while she was still legally married.
However, Brenay and Timothy have offered a very different perspective on the situation. During the trial, Brenay claimed that Akira had effectively "consented" to the affair because she "knew the marriage was failing." Timothy, for his part, attempted to downplay the depth of his previous relationship with Akira, claiming that the love between them had long since evaporated.
“I loved her, but I wasn’t in love with her,” Timothy said during the trial. “We were like roommates.”
Despite these defences, the jury remained unmoved. In November last year, they ordered Brenay to pay $1.5 million (R24.1 million) for the alienation of affection claim and an additional $250,000 (R4.22 million) for the criminal conversation claim.
The latest development in this high-stakes drama involves Brenay’s appeal. The influencer has asked the court to pause the massive R30 million payment while she attempts to overturn the verdict. In a recent ruling, a North Carolina judge granted her request to delay the full payment, but with a significant catch: she must pay $40,000 (approximately R708,000) immediately as security to move forward with the appeal process.
The case has sparked a heated debate about the role of "homewrecker" laws in the modern era. While critics argue that these laws are outdated and fail to account for the complexities of modern relationships, supporters believe they provide a necessary form of recourse for spouses who have been betrayed by third parties.
For Brenay Kennard, the influencer whose brand is built on "lifestyle" and "aspiration," the legal battle is a PR nightmare that shows no signs of ending. As she prepares her appeal, the $40,000 security payment is just the beginning of what could be an incredibly expensive lesson in the consequences of mixing family, fame, and infidelity.
As for Akira Montague, the R30 million judgment represents more than just money—it is a public vindication after a betrayal that shattered her family. Whether she will ever see the full amount remains to be seen, but for now, the court has sent a clear message: in North Carolina, "stealing" a husband can come with a very heavy price tag.
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