A TikTok influencer has been ordered to pay $1.75 million to her husband’s ex-wife in a landmark case involving ‘alienation of affection’ claims. Brenay Kennard was sued by Akira Montague for allegedly causing the end of her marriage to Timothy Montague. The lawsuit, filed in May 2024, accused Kennard of deliberately interfering in the marriage and engaging in inappropriate behaviour with Timothy, including flaunting their relationship on social media.
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Social media personality Brenay Kennard has been ordered to pay $1.75 million in damages for her involvement in the breakdown of her husband’s marriage. Akira Montague filed a civil lawsuit against Kennard in May 2024, accusing her of ‘alienation of affection’ and ‘criminal conversation’. These legal claims are only recognised in a few states, including North Carolina, where the case was heard. Kennard, who has a substantial following on TikTok and Instagram, regularly featured her husband Timothy in her social media posts.
The lawsuit alleged that Kennard began sharing content with Timothy while he was still married to Akira, without her knowledge or consent. Akira also claimed that Kennard publicly shared photos of the children she shares with Timothy. Furthermore, Kennard was accused of openly displaying her relationship with Timothy online and even attempting to justify an alleged affair with him during a livestream on TikTok. The jury, after deliberating for over an hour, ruled in favour of Akira and ordered Kennard to pay $1.5 million for ‘alienation of affection’ and $250,000 for ‘criminal conversation’.
During the trial, Timothy testified that he and Akira were more like roommates and had separated in 2021, denying claims of a loving relationship. In contrast, Akira disputed this, stating that Timothy regularly visited and they were intimate. Kennard, representing herself in court, argued that the marriage between Timothy and Akira was already deteriorating and she couldn’t be solely blamed for its end. After the ruling, Kennard expressed her disbelief at the verdict, attributing the lawsuit to financial motives and accusing Akira’s legal team of dishonesty.
In response to the outcome, Timothy labelled the verdict as ‘outrageous’ and criticised Akira’s legal team for playing on sympathy. He maintained that genuine love was lacking in the marriage and that the truth will prevail in the end. Akira’s lawyer emphasised that the case was about accountability rather than vengeance, highlighting the emotional distress caused to Akira and her children. Supporters of Akira have rallied behind her, emphasizing the importance of justice and holding individuals responsible for their actions.
This case sheds light on the legal repercussions of interpersonal relationships in the age of social media and highlights the complexities of modern-day marriages. The verdict serves as a cautionary tale for influencers and public figures, reminding them of the potential consequences of their actions on platforms like TikTok. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly impact future legal proceedings involving similar claims of ‘alienation of affection’ and ‘criminal conversation’, prompting individuals to reflect on their behaviour in both virtual and real-world relationships.