Tennessee woman sets record for world's longest mullet

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Tami and her mullet will appear in the 2024 Guinness World Records book (Image: Guinness World Records)
Tami and her mullet will appear in the 2024 Guinness World Records book (Image: Guinness World Records)

A Tennessee woman has taken the title for the world's longest competitive mullet for a female, and you may be surprised to find out what she does for a living.

58-year-old Tami Manis, from Knoxville, earned the title with a flowing mane measuring 5ft 8in (172.72cm). That's almost the height of the average man and more than the height of the average woman.

The public health nurse started sporting the mullet in the 1980s, having been inspired by a music video from American rock band 'Til Tuesday. She's not cut her hair since February 9, 1990 - a staggering 33 years.

Now, her avoidance of hairdressers will earn her a place in the 2024 Guinness World Records book. The specific music video which set her off on her mullet journey was for the song Voices Carry, four decades ago.

"The girl had a rattail and I really wanted one of those", she told the Guinness World Records. She added: "I went to get my hair cut at a barber shop and the guy really said that's not my hairstyle and not good on me, but I was like 'Well, this is what I want'."

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Tennessee woman sets record for world's longest mulletTami poses outside with her Guinness World Record certificate as her hair blows in the wind (Guinness World Records)

In November 1989, Tami cut off her mullet and regretted the decision immediately. So after her last haircut on February 9, 1990, her mullet's birthday, she began growing it once more.

"I have just kept the hairstyle," Tami explained. "I've been blessed that my hair grows and now it's the world's longest mullet and I'm very happy with it."

Tami said that over the years, friends and family have asked questions about her mullet and it's become quite the topic of conversation. She added that most people don't notice just how long her mullet is until she turns around.

In fact, she said people often remember her because of her mullet. Tami explained: "The weirdest thing I find is that people remember me from years ago... I've had people recognise me from 20 years ago because I've kept the same hairstyle."

It's down to good genes that Tami says she's able to grow her hair so long and thick. Though, she does have a specific hair care routine and is loyal to Hask hair products.

Tennessee woman sets record for world's longest mulletTami Manis, from Knoxville, Tennessee had a full-on photoshoot with her record-breaking mullet (Guinness World Records)
Tennessee woman sets record for world's longest mulletTami hasn't had the back of her hair cut since February 1990 (Guinness World Records)

"I also do a conditioner which has Argan oil in it," she said. Generally, Tami keeps her mullet braided - partly as it's longer than she is tall so it helps the hair spring up and not drag on the ground.

"Before I get it re-braided, I use a leave-in conditioner to help it be more manageable to braid," she explained. While there are drawbacks to having such a long mullet, Tami has found her style.

Once she's shampooed and conditioned her hair, she dries it using paper towels so it doesn't stay wet. Then, Tami's friend braids her hair for her once a week, with it staying in that style until the next time it is washed.

However, even in its braided state, Tami still says her hair is impressive. She explained: "I'm very fortunate that my hair has grown. But most of the time people around me know that it's braided and it's still very long and impressive at that point."

Tennessee woman sets record for world's longest mulletWhen not braided, Tami's hair is longer than she is tall (Guinness World Records)

In 2022, Tami competed in the Femullet division of the 2022 US Mullet Championships and finished in second place. The championship is the largest competition of its kind in the world in terms of the number of applicants with upwards of 1,000 people applying each year.

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Tami's second-place win saw her taking home a $300 prize, after she lost out to Alexa Lindsey of Holland, Michigan, who took home $500. But not long after, Guinness World Records opened up the longest competitive mullet as a record category - and Tami felt encouraged to apply.

"I was first notified that Guinness World Records actually opened a mullet category by email," said Tami. "I conversed with a representative a few times and we set up a photography session."

Tami even had her hair filmed in order to document its sheer length. Although she says it was a long process, Tami believes it was worth the effort.

She first found out she had become the record holder for the longest competitive mullet (female) when she received a package on her front porch. She recalled: "When I opened it, I thought, 'This is amazing'.

"I confirmed it with the gentleman from Guinness World Records and then I reverified that I'm actually in the 2024 edition of Guinness World Record for the longest mullet and that is pretty amazing!"

Fiona Leishman

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