The next USA Mullet Champ could be one of three Ellsworth area boys, if local voters have anything to say about it.

The 2023 Kids Mullet Showdown is a fundraising event (online) through Jared Allen Homes for Wounded Warriors, a charity that helps provide mortgage-free, accessible homes to wounded veterans. Each vote, which needs to be cast on each contestant’s page, and donations raise the chances of the contestants moving on to the next round. Voters can vote for their favorite mullets once per day.

Local contestants include Otto Jakes and Daxton Passe of Ellsworth and Boone Erlandson of Beldenville. They have been asking community members to vote for them online at mulletchamp.com

The first round of voting ended July 17; participants will find out if they advance to the next round shortly thereafter, so make sure to follow them on social media or check the website to see if they advance. The overall winner in each age group receives a cash prize of $5,000, sunglasses and a member’s jacket. Second place snags $1,000 while third received $500.  

Boone Erlandson

Four-year-old Boone Erlandson, of Beldenville, will be going into 4YK this year at Ellsworth Elementary. Boone’s mullet was born during Halloween 2020 when he dressed up as country singer Joe Diffie, who was known for his luscious locks. Mom Josie said he had the flannel, the cowboy boots, a Boone-sized guitar (a ukelele) and he just needed the mullet.

Boone said the costume was “all his mom” because she loves Joe Diffie.

“When I was playing with my aunt’s ukelele, she thought it looked like a mini guitar,” Boone said. “Since I already had the clothes and the boots, she decided to keep letting my hair grow so I could have the mullet too!”

The Erlandsons have been fundraising for the organization sponsoring the contest by selling limited edition “The Mullet” cookies through Josie’s cookie business, Frosted Haven.

“Profits from those will go toward the competition’s fundraiser, Homes for Wounded Warriors, and will contribute to Boone’s final point total,” Josie said.

Boone said he loves his mullet and thought it would be cool to have the best one in the nation for his age group.
“I also hope it can make lots of people smile!” he said.

He plans to keep growing it because all his friends and family like it. He’s been given a hard time about it, but it’s all been in good fun.

“I know they love me no matter what kind of hair I have,” Boone said.

If he wins the $1,000 prize, he plans to donate half of it to Wigs for Kinds so another kid, who is unable to grow their own, can enjoy a mullet too, if they want.

Otto Jakes

Eleven-year-old Otto Jakes, who will start sixth grade this year at Ellsworth Middle School, thinks he has a good mullet and a chance to win. When he saw a cool photo of a mullet, he decided to grow his hair like it.

While Otto likes his hairstyle, he will eventually cut it.

"I haven’t decided when, but when I do, I am going to donate it to have a wig made for someone who has lost their hair to cancer, like my grandma did,” Jakes said.

He said the first year he had the mullet, no one picked on him. However, this last year people have. He hasn’t let the bullies get him down though. He likes his “Hippie Hair.”

Mom Kayleen Jakes said the fundraiser than runs alongside the voting is not required, but donations are welcome for a great cause.

Daxton Passe

What started out as a prank for family backfired as Daxton Passe loves his mullet. The 5.5-year-old, who will start kindergarten in Ellsworth this fall, is the epitome of “Joe Dirtay.”

“We heard about it last year and everyone encourages us to enter this year,” said Daxton’s mom, Desiree Passe.

Daxton’s dad encouraged him to grow the mullet. He loves it and wants to keep growing it.

“We initially cut it this way as a prank to family, but Dax loves it and makes sure only a little gets taken off when it’s time for a trim on the business end,” Desiree said. “Dax hasn’t really had any issues with teasing other than from his uncle who calls him Joe Dirtay.”

Desiree said the first round of voting ended July 16 and only 33 kids in Dax’s age bracket will move forward. The second round of voting begins July 19 and ends July 23. The third round will kick off Aug. 7 and end Aug. 11.