Miss Nevada USA Mary Sickler, Who Has Alopecia, Ditches Wig Onstage

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It was more than just Mary Sickler‘s gown that was sparkling onstage.

During the evening wear portion of the Miss USA preliminaries on October 22nd, the current Miss Nevada USA chose to remove her brown wig while on stage.

Mary was diagnosed with alopecia universalis in December 2024. She initially wore a wig and bikini for the swimsuit portion of the competition, but ultimately chose to confidently showcase her natural baldness for her final appearance.

She looked stunning in a sparkling headpiece that perfectly complemented her sleek blue and silver dress. She finished the outfit with shimmering teardrop earrings and smoky eye makeup.

After her impactful performance on stage, the 22-year-old, who won Miss Nevada USA in July, shared her thoughts on being the first contestant with alopecia to compete in the national pageant.

She shared on Instagram on October 22nd that achieving this long-held dream felt incredibly unreal. While she hadn’t pictured exactly how she’d reach this point, she’d always hoped to do so with self-assurance, staying true to herself, and with elegance.

She shared her pride in reaching that goal, particularly as the first contestant at Miss USA to walk the stage without hair. She believes her experience demonstrates that anything is possible, even in the face of challenges.

Mary started competing in pageants when she was just 10 years old, and while she now celebrates all aspects of her beauty, getting to this point wasn’t easy. She didn’t share her diagnosis with the public until more than a month after winning Miss Nevada.

In a video posted to Instagram in September, she explained she was tired of covering up with wigs, hats, and scarves. She felt it was important to be open about her struggles and expressed how freeing it felt to finally share what she’d been going through.

I’ve waited a long time to tell this story because it’s a really important part of my recovery, and I want people to know I feel good about myself whether I’m wearing a wig or not,” she explained.

Looking back at her decision, Mary saw the opportunity as a chance to redefine beauty standards.

She stressed how vital it was to share this message, explaining it wasn’t about her personally, or even about status. It was about demonstrating strength and refusing to be defeated by fear or self-doubt.

For a deeper dive into the pageant world, keep reading…

The Miss America pageant, which began in 1921 as a swimsuit competition in Atlantic City, New Jersey, has age requirements for contestants. For the 2026 competition, applicants must be between 18 and 28 years old as of September 1st and 30th, 2026, respectively.

Contestants who turn 18 during the competition year have a special option. They can choose to compete as either a Teen or Miss contestant. To be eligible for the Teen division, they must be between 14 and 18 years old as of September 1st and 30th, 2026, respectively.

Once teens select their preferred program, they won’t be able to switch to a different one until the next application period.

The phrase “There she is, Miss America!” highlights that contestants must be unmarried to compete. While they can be divorced, they are not allowed to be currently married. They also need to confirm they are not pregnant and don’t have any children.

Okay, seriously, all these other state titleholders need to just… stay focused! I mean, it’s not that hard. If you want to even try to compete for the state title, you absolutely HAVE to prove you’ve actually lived in the state for at least four months straight before you even step on stage. Four months! It’s a basic rule, honestly. They need to stick to the rules, so the real contenders can shine!

Alternatively, applicants can demonstrate eligibility by showing they’ve worked at least 40 hours a week for 120 days, or by providing proof of full-time enrollment at a state-approved college or university.

Contestants definitely have skills! Their 90-second performance – which could be singing, playing an instrument, dancing, or something unique like a chemistry lesson (as seen with Miss Vermont 2015, Alayna Westcom) or a cup-playing routine like the 2015 winner, Kira Kazantsev, did – makes up 20 percent of their score in each round.

Not a part of the tally: The swimsuit competition, which was washed away in 2018. 

Okay, so I’ve totally broken down how they pick the winner, because, honestly, it’s fascinating! It’s not just about being pretty, you know? They’re judged in a bunch of different areas. First, there’s the private interview – that counts for a huge 30% of their score! Then, they have to show off their fitness – that’s 20%. And of course, there’s talent – another 20%! They also get judged on their evening wear – it’s not just the dress, it’s how confidently they carry themselves, and that’s worth 20% too. Finally, there’s the on-stage question, which is 10% – it’s like, can they think on their feet?! It all adds up, and it’s SO exciting to see how it all plays out!

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2025-10-23 16:48