DURHAM, N.C. — A North Carolina jury has ordered TikTok influencer Brenay Kennard to pay $1.75 million in damages after finding her liable for destroying another woman’s marriage in a high-profile alienation of affection lawsuit.
The verdict, delivered last week in Durham County Superior Court, found that Kennard intentionally interfered in the marriage of Akira Montague and her husband, Tim Montague, who had previously worked as Kennard’s manager.
The Case
According to court filings, Akira Montague filed the civil suit in May 2024, accusing Kennard of engaging in an extramarital affair with her husband while the couple was still married. The complaint alleged that Kennard knowingly pursued a romantic relationship with Tim Montague, contributing directly to the breakdown of the marriage, which began in 2018.
Montague claimed that Kennard not only became involved with her husband but also flaunted the relationship publicly — including on social media, where Kennard has millions of followers. Text messages, social-media posts, and hundreds of pages of digital evidence were presented to the jury during the six-day trial.
After less than two hours of deliberation, jurors sided with the plaintiff, awarding $1.5 million in damages for alienation of affection and an additional $250,000 for criminal conversation — a related claim under North Carolina law referring to adultery.
Rare but Powerful Law
North Carolina is one of just a few states that still recognize alienation of affection. This 19th-century statute allows a spouse to sue a third party for deliberately causing the failure of a marriage. The law is sometimes colloquially referred to as the “Jolene law,” a reference to the classic Dolly Parton song about a woman pleading with another woman not to “take her man.”
Legal experts note that while such cases are uncommon, the size of this verdict makes it one of the most significant in recent years. In past cases, awards have ranged from a few hundred thousand dollars to more than $30 million.
Reactions and Next Steps
Following the decision, Akira Montague’s attorney, Robonetta Jones, said the verdict represented “justice for a wife and mother whose marriage and family were torn apart.”
Kennard, who boasts nearly three million TikTok followers and over 270,000 Instagram followers, has denied wrongdoing. She maintains that Tim Montague’s marriage was already over before their relationship began and described the lawsuit as a “money grab.” Her legal team has indicated plans to appeal the verdict or seek a reduction in damages.
Meanwhile, legal analysts say the case could serve as a wake-up call for influencers and public figures whose personal lives unfold online. “This verdict shows that public behavior — even on social media — can have real legal and financial consequences,” said one family-law attorney not connected to the case.
Broader Implications
The outcome underscores how old laws can intersect with modern social-media culture, where public attention and personal relationships often collide. For Kennard, the ruling could have lasting financial repercussions, including possible garnishment of income from future brand deals and online content.
As the case heads toward appeal, it continues to ignite debate about whether North Carolina’s alienation-of-affection law still has a place in the modern era — or whether it’s a relic of a bygone age of marriage and morality.
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