Brenay Kennard must pay $1.75 Million after a jury ruled she caused emotional harm by having an affair with her married manager in North Carolina.
TikTok influencer Brenay Kennard has been ordered to pay $1.75 million after a jury found her responsible for breaking up her manager’s marriage, in a case drawing attention both nationally and abroad.
The lawsuit, heard in Durham County Court, centered on Kennard’s affair with her manager, Tim Montague. Court documents state the relationship was conducted both publicly and privately, ultimately contributing to the dissolution of Montague’s nearly five-year marriage to Akira Montague. Tim eventually left his wife, leaving Akira and their children to face the emotional and practical consequences of a fractured household.
Akira Montague described the affair as profoundly damaging, citing emotional distress, health challenges, and the strain of raising children in a single-parent environment. “She has received justice from losing her husband and the father of her children,” Akira’s attorney, Robonetta Jones, told ABC 7.
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Kennard was found liable under North Carolina’s uncommon “alienation of affection” and “criminal conversation” laws, which allow a spouse to seek damages from a third party deemed responsible for undermining a marriage. The combined rulings resulted in the $1.75 million award, reflecting both compensatory and punitive considerations.
Kennard’s legal team argued that Akira had been aware of the affair and consented, believing her marriage was already failing. The court, however, focused on the documented harm to the Montague family, rejecting the defense.
The case has drawn widespread media and social media attention. Kennard, who has nearly 3 million TikTok followers and more than 270,000 Instagram followers, reportedly shared elements of the affair online, amplifying scrutiny and public debate over influencer behavior and accountability.
Internationally, alienation of affection cases are exceedingly rare, making this ruling notable. While critics view such laws as outdated, supporters argue they serve as a legal remedy for families harmed by third-party interference in marriages.
Kennard has not indicated whether she will appeal. Meanwhile, the Montague family has expressed relief, emphasizing the importance of accountability for actions that disrupt family life.
The case highlights the intersection of social media influence, personal conduct, and the legal system, demonstrating how private actions in the digital age can have profound legal and societal consequences, resonating far beyond North Carolina.