INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: The Indiana State Fair witnessed a hair-raising spectacle on Saturday, July 29, as fifteen daring Hoosiers took the stage to compete in the USA Mullet Championship qualifiers. Contrary to the popular notion that mullets are outdated, these participants proved that the iconic hairdo is still very much in style and, for some, a way of life.
Embracing the mullet lifestyle
The USA Mullet Championship, which began in 2020, exceeded all expectations. MC Christian Hoffer explained, "We expected this to be a fun small thing, our founder only did this because he realized no one else was doing it and next thing we know people like Barstool Sports, Access Hollywood, and the Today Show are all picking it up and sharing it without us even mentioning it to them." Perhaps this is because the underappreciated hairstyle holds a special significance for many.
One of the contestants, Angela Elliot, known affectionately as Mammy Mullet, proudly told Fox 59, "This was my first time in the mullet contest, first time ever hearing about a USA Mullet contest, so been rocking the mullet for 28 years." For many contestants, the mullet holds a deeper significance. John Poor, another participant, revealed, "I had it before and got it back after I had my colon cancer, and decided I only had one life to live and liked long hair.
'It's been a blast'
The Saturday event marked the semi-finals, where the 15 best mullets in America vied for the top spot. "Today we're going to be learning about the mullets, what brought them to life, what brought them into their character," Hoffer elaborated. While some participants were initially unaware of the championship, they left the stage with immense pride in their hairdos. Mammy Mullet expressed, "I got a little nervous, not going to lie, so it didn't kind of go as I had planned it out in my head. I wanted to take first place, but I'm very happy with third place. So it was great and grand."
The ultimate winner of the State Fair's Mullet Championship qualifier was none other than John Poor, the veteran who missed out on the previous year's mullet contest. Ecstatic with his victory, Poor said, "All my guys at work encouraged me to do it, saying you'll win and I thought, 'Nah, I'll be the least on the stage.' I am so shocked. Oh my god, it's been fun. It's been a blast. All the contestants were great." As the deserving champion, Poor was rewarded with a $500 prize and the chance to compete in the top 25 "Mane Event" national championships for the title of the best mullet in America later in the fall. But the USA Mullet Championship is not just about fun and style; it's also about making a difference. The contest has managed to raise over $95,000 for local charities so far, showcasing the heartwarming union of camaraderie and community.
Who is the reigning American mullet champion?
As we eagerly await the "Mane Event" later this year, let's not forget the reigning American mullet champion, Scott Salvadore. In last year's finals, Salvadore, with his majestic hair, titled "The Lord's Drapes," emerged victorious with an impressive 3,740 votes. Dalton Cleghorn and Brandon Hernandez also put up a fierce fight with their mullets "Mulletmania" and "Texas Tailgate," garnering 3,208 and 2,855 votes, respectively. When the Today show virtually revealed Salvadore as the winner, he celebrated with unrestrained joy and proclaimed, "It feels like I just won a mullet championship. I brought the title to Stillwater."
Interestingly, Salvadore's mullet journey was not without twists. Before winning the championship, he had cut his original mullet for his girlfriend but regrew it after they got married. Reflecting on the experience, Salvadore said, "When I cut that first mullet off, it was such a part of my identity, I felt like a part of me died. Mullet chose me, and I cut it off. I had some cold neck problems, I wasn't happy about it," he joked. "As far as happiness goes, I think mullets are a lot like jet skis and to quote my fellow brother in 'Mulletdom,' Kenny Powers, 'I've never seen a sad person on a jet ski.'"