While it has the potential to divide opinion like no other haircut, the mullet has also built a legion of fans in recent decades.
The ‘do, often described as ‘business in the front, party in the back’, features a traditional short cut, paired with tumbling tresses down the back.
And now, men with the best mullets across the USA compete for the title of winner of the 2023 ‘Mane Event’ at the annual USA Mullet Championships.
The top 25 finalists have been announced in the competition, with lines for voting open now, until Friday (October 13).
Among the finalists are majestic mullets with nicknames like ‘The BC Gravy Train’, ‘Terry the Walmart Wolverine’, ‘Panhandle Justice’ and ‘The Carolina Shrimp Tail’.
Among the 25 finalists is Jeremy ‘Scrappy’ Perine of Pennsboro, West Virginia and his mullet nicknamed ‘The Mountaineer Mullet’
Patrick Sosman of Springfield, Illinois shows off his mule, which he says is nicknamed ‘Wesley’
Alex Mcduffie of Florida Everglades (pictured, left) and Zachary Reiswig of Rexburg, Idaho, (pictured, right) are both finalists in the competition
Finalist Brandon Mittermeier of Conway, Arkansas shows off his mullet nicknamed Mama Tried
The finalists all immortalized their mullets in photos shared throughout the competition.
In many of the snaps, the finalists accessorized their hairstyles with mullet staples – wrap shades and tank tops.
In his bid for the crown, one contender, Brandon Hernandez, even recruited a chicken to pose with him and his ‘Texas Tailgate’ mullet.
Online voting for the finalists is now underway at mulletchamp.com and runs until Friday (October 13).
Fans are also encouraged to make donations on behalf of their favorite finalist to Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors.
The total raised for the charity will contribute to the participant’s overall score.
A panel of judges will also critique each mult based on length, style, uniqueness and showmanship to arrive at an overall final total.
Finalists in the Mane event were drawn from state fairs and festivals, official judge picks and Facebook fan votes.
MULLET FINALIST: Bobby Masten of Marysville, Washington, and his mullet nicknamed ‘Bobby-Ray’
Brandon Mittermeier of Conway, Arkansas, (pictured, left) and David Houtz of Gallatin, Tennessee (pictured, right) are both finalists
John Poor of Anderson, Indiana is pictured with his top 25 mullet, nicknamed ‘Uncle Jesse’
FINALISTS: Brandon Hernandez of Buda, Texas, (pictured, left) and Matthew Ray of Carleton, Michigan, (pictured, right)
Matthew Ray of Mossy Head, Florida is a finalist, along with his mullet nicknamed ‘Panhandle Justice’
MULLET FAN: Brian Carruthers of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and his mullet nicknamed ‘The BC Gravy Train’
Han Nguyen of Yukon, Oklahoma, (pictured, left) and Andrew Hooley of Kalamazoo, Michigan, (pictured, left)
Shawn Halladay of Gifford, Pennsylvania shows off his finalist mullet, nicknamed ‘Dale’
Another finalist is Todd Grubb of Galesburg, Michigan with his mullet nicknamed ‘Flow Motion’
Zack Mills of Jacksonville, North Carolina, and his finalist mullet nicknamed ‘The Carolina Shrimp Tail’
Jeremiah Van Winkle of New Prague, Minnesota, (pictured, left) and Shawn Halladay of Gifford, Pennsylvania, (pictured, right)
Rowdy Yates of Montana poses for his finalist photo and shows off his mullet nicknamed ‘Let Er Buck!’
Andrew Hooley of Kalamazoo, Michigan, (pictured, left) and Kyle Lytle of Norman, Oklahoma (pictured, right)
Finalist Brian Carruthers of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and his mullet nicknamed ‘The BC Gravy Train’
Chase Evans is among the 25 finalists, with his mullet nicknamed ‘The Florida Panhandle’.
And 2022 champion Scott Salvadore is back in the running to defend his title with his ‘The Lord’s Drapes’ hairstyle.
The new generation of mullet fans got their chance to shine in the Kids Division competition last month.
Rory Ehrlich, of Montgomery County, who called his mullet cheddar wiz, received more than 16,000 votes in the contest, beating hundreds of other contestants to the top prize.
In second place was Ezekiel Arita, three, from Hawaii – with his dark mullet nicknamed Mr. Aloha Mullet.
And in the third place was Kamden Cunningham, five, from Pennsylvania and his mullet nicknamed The Kammander.