A Durham County jury ordered TikTok influencer Brenay Kennard to pay $1.75 million after finding her liable for wrecking a marriage through an affair with her manager.
Kennard, who has almost 3 million TikTok followers and around 275,000 Instagram followers, was found liable for criminal conversation and alienation of affection in a lawsuit brought by Akira Montague, WRAL reported. The plaintiff accused Kennard of seducing her then-husband, Tim Montague, who also served as Kennard’s manager.
North Carolina remains one of few states allowing spouses to sue third parties for destroying their marriages. The state’s alienation of affection law permits legal action a person they allege took part in an affair that destroyed the marriage. (RELATED: Anthony Hopkins Admits To Cheating On His Second Wife)
TikToker LifeOfBrenay was ordered to pay $1.75 million for ruining a woman’s marriage through an affair
North Carolina law, dating back to the 1800s, allows spouses to seek damages for marital interference pic.twitter.com/RKIv9SqTQF
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) November 11, 2025
Akira Montague and Tim Montague wed on Oct. 20, 2018. She alleged the affair caused her mental anguish, health problems and deprived her kids of having both parents in the house. The affair occurred in the Montague home and played out across Kennard’s social media platforms, according to Akira Montague. The manager reportedly abandoned his wife for the influencer.
“She has received justice from losing her husband and the father of her children,” said Robonetta Jones, Akira Montague’s attorney.
Kennard disputed the verdict’s basis, claiming Akira Montague approved the relationship.
“She gave her consent,” Kennard said. “She said it was okay because she knew her marriage was over with, and it was done.”
Similar North Carolina cases have resulted in substantial payouts. Carol Puryear received $30 million in 2011 in the state’s largest settlement of its type, WRAL reported, citing court records. Former Republican state Sen. Rick Gunn settled a 2021 case for $3 million after being accused of a lengthy affair with his legislative assistant.