This NC kid’s mullet ‘just screams America,’ earning a finalist spot in national contest

At age 7, Emmett Miller may have grown the world’s most majestic mullet, defiant as an American flag flying from a raised middle finger.

With his bangs slightly crooked, golden locks cascading around his shoulders, the Moore County second-grader grins behind a pair of Pit Viper Shades, sporting a bald eagle shirt that glowers out from his torso, daring anyone to do more business in the front or party harder in the back.

And when you ask young Emmett why he chose his fearsome hairdo, he gives the only possible answer:

“Because I like it that way.”

In July, Emmett sliced his way through 700-plus competitors to make Top 25 in the USA Mullet Championship, kids division. If the Facebook comments are any predictor, he will soon top that hockey-haircut with a crown:

“This just screams America!” wrote one fan.

“This kid just asked me for a light for his Pall Mall,” wrote another.

“This kid just pulled up in a Little Tyles t-top and asked me if I had any Skoal,” raved a third.

The glories of the mullet

Dating to ancient times but more frequently associated with early-90s country stars — think Billy Ray Cyrus — the mullet has gained enough prominence to merit an entry in the Oxford English Dictionary:

“A hairstyle, worn esp. by men, in which the hair is cut short at the front and sides, and left long at the back.”

Emmett’s coif, however, grew out of closed-down barbershops in the early pandemic years. Once they reopened, and the options returned, he declared a preference for an up-front trim and razor-cut sides. But leave the back intact.

“Honey,” said his mother, Abby. “That’s a mullet.”

Though frequently parodied — think “Joe Dirt” — the long-short cut has regained popularity as a way to look sharp for Zoom meetings while simultaneously staying at the ready for 5 o’clock freedom, a hairstyle that channels both Clark Kent and Superman.

But if Emmett wins in the voting on mulletchamp.com, which lasts all next week, and takes the $2,500 prize, he won’t need anybody’s congratulations. He’s already got a mullet-suitable reward in mind.

“I want to buy a new dirt bike,” he said.

This story is part of our regular “On the Bright Side” feature. Got a suggestion for a story that will bring a smile to our readers? E-mail Josh Shaffer at jshaffer@newsobserver.com.