Who Is Mary Sickler? First Miss USA Contestant With Alopecia To Ditch Her Wig In Preliminary Round

For decades, the beauty of a woman has often been tied to her hair. There has been a long-held belief that long, shiny locks are considered a symbol of femininity and grace. However, modern women are redefining the meaning of beauty and highlighting how the term is far more profound than just their physical appearance.

Among these inspiring women is Mary Sickler, Miss Nevada USA 2025. She made history by competing in the Miss USA beauty pageant as the first woman diagnosed with the condition. Moreover, rather than concealing it, she embarked on it by removing her wig in the preliminary stage, redefining what confidence truly means.

Who is Mary Sickler?

Mary Sickler, 22, is a beauty queen and model from Nevada. She had been participating in various beauty pageants since she was just 10 years old. However, unlike others, her journey to one of the biggest stages of her life yet, Miss USA, was more about her grit and self-discovery. According to People Magazine, Mary Sickler began her pageant career in Texas and was named the first runner-up at Miss Texas USA 2025. Sadie Schiermeyer, who later emerged as the runner-up for Miss America 2026, won the title.

Consequently, Mary Sickler competed for the Miss Nevada USA crown in July 2025 and won it. According to the Miss USA rules, contestants are eligible to participate in two state pageants per year. The rule allowed her to make the switch. After her win in Nevada, she qualified for the national competition, marking a major milestone in her career. 

Mary Sickler had a late Alopecia diagnosis

Mary Sickler's journey took a turn late in the year when she was diagnosed with Alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss. Initially, she was discouraged from competing in the Miss USA pageant but overcame her self-doubts. Initially, her hair fell, leaving small bald patches. However, it quickly progressed to complete hair loss, affecting her eyebrows and eyelashes. For those unaware, Alopecia is a general term for hair loss from thinning to complete hair loss. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, resulting in hair loss on the scalp or body. Now, she uses her platform to spread self-acceptance and confidence. Recalling the difficult time, she said:

"I lost all my hair, and I definitely didn't think that I would be walking on the Miss USA stage without any hair, but I am. I honestly couldn't recognise myself anymore. But if you see yourself as beautiful and you own it, then other people will too."

Why is Miss USA 2025 different from the previous ones?

The Miss USA 2025 pageant is being held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, marking its 74th edition. It will be the first event under the new director, Thomas Brodeur. Moreover, unlike the traditional television broadcast, the competition will air exclusively on the Queen Beauty Network. A total of 51 contestants will compete for the crown. But before the pageant even began, it made headlines after Miss USA 2024, Alma Cooper, announced she would skip the pageant hours before she was expected to crown the new winner. She did not reveal the reason, but it has fueled a wide range of speculation. Meanwhile, Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt of Utah, will crown the new winner, who will represent the U.S. at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand.

What do you think about Mary Sickler's bold move to ditch her wig in the preliminary stage of Miss USA 2025? Let us know.

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