Photo Credit:Eric Miller, WRAL anchor/reporter
A North Carolina judge has ordered viral TikTok influencer Brenay Kennard (formerly Montague) to pay $40,000 as a security bond while she attempts to appeal a massive multi-million dollar judgment. The ruling, handed down by Durham County Superior Court Judge Hoyt Tessener, requires the payment as an “undertaking” to protect the interests of the plaintiff during the lengthy appeals process.
The legal saga stems from a November 2025 trial that captivated social media. A jury found Kennard liable for alienation of affection and criminal conversation, a rare “heart balm” laws still active in North Carolina that allow a spouse to sue a third party for interfering in a marriage. The plaintiff, Akira Montague, alleged that Kennard, a former close friend who once lived with the family, engaged in an affair with her then-husband, Timothy Montague, leading to the collapse of their marriage.
The original jury awarded Akira a total of $1.75 million in damages: $1.5 million for the loss of her husband’s affection and $250,000 for the act of adultery (criminal conversation). Evidence presented during the trial included social media posts where Kennard allegedly “flaunted” the relationship and referred to Akira as a friend or “cousin” while the affair was ongoing.
During the most recent hearing, Kennard’s legal team argued for a significantly lower bond of $10,000, claiming her income from brand deals had dropped by half due to the public backlash and “villain” narrative surrounding the case. However, Akira’s attorney, Robonetta Jones, successfully countered that Kennard’s lifestyle remained largely unchanged. Jones pointed to the influencer’s continued social media presence, which shows her frequently dining out and shopping, as evidence that she possessed the means to pay a higher amount.
Judge Tessener ultimately sided with the higher figure, noting that Kennard’s financial records showed her expenses and income remained relatively consistent before and after the judgment. The $40,000 payment acts as a guarantee for Akira while the North Carolina Court of Appeals reviews the $1.75 million verdict.
Since the trial, Kennard has married Timothy Montague and continues to document their life together for her nearly 3 million followers. While she has slammed the verdict as “outrageous” and accused Akira of misrepresenting their friendship, this week’s ruling ensures that the financial consequences of the “homewrecker” lawsuit remain very real during the legal battle.
