(Kaitlin McKeown/The News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Roommates, things are getting messy in North Carolina. TikTok star Brenay Kennard is now on the hook for $40,000 while appealing a whopping $1.75 million judgment tied to the breakup of Akira Montagues marriage. A Durham judge made the ruling on Tuesday (March 24) during a recent court appearance, per PEOPLE.
Back in November, a jury sided with Montague, who accused Kennard of alienation of affection and criminal conversation.” Akira accused Brenay of intentionally causing her marriage to end by engaging in a relationship with her husband while they were still married. These types of lawsuits, known as “heart balm” torts, are rare and recognized in only a handful of states, such asNorth Carolina.
Brenay Kennard reportedly appealed the judgment in January. At the appeals hearing this week, Kennard reportedly spent over an hour breaking down her finances. She’s allegedly paying an $800 car note, and is the primary person responsible for her household bills.
She explained that the allegations have hurt her brand deals and made it difficult for her to earn money online. She also said the civil case, combined with a cyberstalking charge, has made it tough to land jobs outside social media, like substitute teaching in Wake County. However, Akira Montagues lawyer didnt buy it, pointing out that Kennards lifestyle doesnt seem much different. For example, she’s still making shopping trips to Ulta and ordering off Amazon, reportedly spending between $400 and $700 on average, per PEOPLE.
Brenay’s lawyer asked for his client to pay a $10,000 undertaking during the appeals process. However, the judge settled on $40,000, siding with the request from Akira’s defense, according to WRAL. The judge found that the $1.75M judgment, which equals $1.5 million for alienation of affection and $250,000 for criminal conversation, had “no meaningful impact on the defendant.”
To be clear, the $40,000 bond is not the settlement, just the payment required during the appeals process to keep the $1.75M payout on pause. The $40,000 will go to the court, but should the appeals process fail, Kennard will still be on the hook for the $1.75 million to Akira Montague.
Brenay’s lawyer did not reveal whether his client can pay the $40,000 bond but reportedly said the amount is “not unreasonable.”
Roommates, the moment hit TSRs Instagram and the comment section absolutely erupted. Some fans joked that being the other woman in 2026 just isnt what it used to be, while others were calling out the obviousyall need to stop messing with peoples spouses. Of course, a few werent holding back, claiming that no man is worth that level of drama or stress in anyones life.
One Instagram user @_chvnel5 commented, “Theres no man on earth worth this idc“
This Instagram user @bigghennyyy added, “Im Confused So The Man Innocent? ”
And, Instagram user @teeemarieee_03 claimed, “What’s crazy is i went down the rabbit hole and found out brenay actually dated him first when they were younger ”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @nishaa.a shared, “Thats what she gets! Ms. ‘She wont see a penny of it.’ Now Akira about to see $40k of it”
While Instagram user @flawednfabulous wrote, “Yall gon stop playing with people husbands eventually lol.“
Lastly, Instagram user @_suckafreesi said, “Being a sneaky link used to be free cant do nothing in this economy“
Again, TikTok star Brenay Kennard and Timothy Montague’s romantic beginnings ended up in North Carolina courtroom last year. As previously reported, Brenay and Tm knew each other in high school. Years later, as early as 2023, things allegedly got romantic again. They allegedly began dating while Tim was still married Akira, and Brenay was married to Devon Mayo. Following the Montagues’ divorce, Brenay later married Tim and flaunted their love and relationship in her TikTok videos.
Despite her claims that she wasnt the cause of Akira and Tims split, a jury sided with Akira. Brenay and Tim both called the $1.75M ruling outrageous, with Brenay insisting Akira had played the victim and lied during the trial.
