At a Glance
- TikTok star Brenay Kennard appeared in a North Carolina courtroom on January 15 for allegedly violating a gag order
- The judge cleared the courtroom after an influencer livestreamed the proceedings
- The hearing stems from Kennard’s $1.75 million loss in an alienation of affection lawsuit
- Why it matters: The case tests how far influencers can push social media coverage of ongoing legal battles
Brenay Kennard, the TikTok creator ordered to pay $1.75 million for alienation of affection, returned to court on January 15 to face claims she broke a court order banning online posts about the case. The hearing drew a crowd of fellow influencers, some flying in from California, but the judge quickly cleared the public from the room after discovering someone was livestreaming.
Influencer Crowd Descends on Courthouse
Kennard’s first trial in November became a social-media spectacle when a jury sided with her husband’s ex-wife, Akira Montague, who argued Kennard’s affair with Timothy Montague wrecked their marriage. The verdict-$1.5 million for alienation of affection and $250,000 for criminal conversation-turned Kennard into both a cautionary tale and a cause célèbre among TikTok creators.
Last week’s follow-up hearing drew a new wave of content creators eager to chronicle every twist. According to News Of Los Angeles, several influencers traveled from as far as California to broadcast updates and rally behind Montague. The scene inside the courthouse quickly mirrored the online drama when the judge warned that anyone caught livestreaming would be held in contempt.
> “We got booted from the courtroom, y’all, and I wish I was exaggerating,” said the creator behind Feather Crown Press, summarizing the moment spectators were ordered out.
Gag Order at the Center of the Dispute
Montague’s legal team asked the court to enforce an earlier order barring Kennard from posting about the lawsuit. Prosecutors claim Kennard has continued to flout that restriction, pointing to:
- Holiday photos and videos featuring Timothy Montague on her TikTok
- A taped interview with Dr. Phil that the couple promoted online
- Allegations she used her platform to “attack Montague and her children,” as stated in a January 8 press release from Montague’s representative
Kennard declined to comment on those accusations; her attorney did not respond to News Of Los Angeles‘s request for comment either.
What Happens Next
The judge postponed the hearing until February 10, leaving the alleged violations unresolved for now. If the court finds Kennard in contempt, she could face additional fines or other penalties on top of the multi-million-dollar judgment already hanging over her.
The next session is expected to revisit:
- Whether Kennard’s recent posts violate the court’s directive
- Possible sanctions for ignoring the order
- The role social-media spectators play in influencing jury pools and public perception
Key Takeaways
- A single livestream forced the judge to clear the courtroom, underscoring tensions between open courts and influencer culture
- Kennard still owes $1.75 million from the November verdict and risks piling on more penalties
- The postponed hearing means at least three more weeks of uncertainty for both parties-and plenty of time for the story to keep trending online
