Once synonymous with the Australian fashion scene and Billy Ray Cyrus, this style has transcended borders and become a global trend. Are you considering getting one? Here’s the lowdown on the style and what you should do if you want one.

Origins from the Australian Scene

Australians have already given the world Rhea Ripley, Kangaroos, and even Hugh Jackman, but they can also be accredited with the mullet hairstyle. The exact origin of this iconic style is a subject of debate, with some claiming it was named after the fish of the same name. Another theory suggests that hardworking Australian fishermen, who didn’t care for grooming but wanted maximum visibility, started the style by only cutting the hair at the front, leading to the mullet.

It is then said that the style was copied by prominent sports people in Australia, like cricketers Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsch, who then opened the floodgates on the style. Mullets became so popular within the Rugby League that, at one point, they were known as' rugby mullets'. Of course, there is conjecture that the mullet isn't Australian at all and originated in France.

Musician Mullet Adopters

What do David Bowie, Cher and Billy Ray Cyrus have in common? Besides, they are famous musicians…yep, they have all at once sported a mullet. The British rock singer was renowned for his exuberant looks that matched his quirky music. Affectionately named Ziggy Hair Dust…sorry, Ziggy Stardust, he had multiple mullet styles from his early career, his leading role in Labyrinth and even toward the end of his career when he donned a short version of the cut.

The 1980s were a fascinating time for music and fashion. Cher was back on the radio with a vast array of hits that came well before ‘Believe’, with the infamous vocoder usage. In the 1980s, she used many styling products for her spiked-up 'rocker mullet' hairstyle. She would later dye the mullet purple for a colourful version. 

Billy Ray Cyrus made the mullet hairstyle famous in his music video for ‘Achy Breaky Heart’. When he entered the music scene, he had a bold American country mullet. The style must run in the family, as years later, his daughter, Miley Cyrus, also rocked a choppy modern mullet.

Modern Day Popularity

You can see mullets everywhere now. They aren’t just down your street or in the club; many famous people have them. Hector Bellerin, the former Barcelona and Arsenal defender, has long been at the height of fashion, and as such, he has a head of hair that would fit the classic mullet moniker. Given he his incredibly dedicated to his appearance, you can imagine that he meticulously applies hair setting powder. Another soccer player with this style is Jo Hyeon-woo, a South Korean goalkeeper who has played at the World Cup with a sharp taper mullet.

Meanwhile, for a few years, Bethanie Mattek-Sands has showcased a mullet fade on the tennis court. Given that she’s mainly a doubles player now, it makes sense to maximise visibility at the front so she can make those crucial match points. Her spiky mullet style has often been praised as one of the best on the tennis tour.