Alopecia-Affected Beauty Queen Stuns in Miss USA Pageant

On October 22, 2025, the reigning Miss Nevada USA took the stage at the Miss USA preliminaries, making a bold decision to leave her chocolate brown wig backstage for the evening wear portion of the competition.

Mary, who was diagnosed with alopecia universalis in December 2024, had first stepped out in a red bikini and a brunette wig for the swimsuit round. However, she chose to embrace her baldness for her final look, dazzling the audience in a jewel-encrusted headpiece that matched her blue and silver form-fitting gown. She completed the empowering ensemble with sparkling teardrop earrings and a smoky makeup look.

Following this powerful onstage moment, the 22-year-old, who was crowned Miss Nevada USA in July 2025, reflected on being the first woman with alopecia to compete in the national beauty pageant. "This dream has been so many years in the making, and to finally step into this moment feels surreal," she wrote on Instagram. "I never imagined I would walk that stage in this way, but I always hoped I would do it with confidence, authenticity, and grace."