What is a mullet and which celebs have one?

May 2024 · 4 minute read

MULLETS are becoming a hot new trend, making their comeback from the 80s.

The iconic hairstyle has been popularised by several famous names including hunky vlogger Jeff Wittek and singer Miley Cyrus.

What is a mullet haircut?

Referred to as "business in the front, party in the back", the mullet is a choppy hairstyle, with a shorter more professional look in the front, and a longer, wilder cut in the back.

The haircut came to popularity in the 1970s, with David Bowie's alter ego, Ziggy Stardust being the most notable celebrity to rock the style.

But it was in the eighties that the cut was the look to have.

However, Tom Jones rocked the hairdo back in 1965 while performing It's Not Unusual on the Ed Sullivan Show.

And a 2,000 year old statue revealed the haircut dates much further back to the Iron Age.

Why is it called a mullet?

Although the hairstyle had been going strong before the 1990s, it's believed the term was coined after the Beastie Boys released their song Mullet Head.

The lyrics state: "You want to know what's a mullet? well/I got a little story to tell/About a hair style, that's way of life/Have you ever seen a Mullet wife?"

The song continues: "Pass me the comb 'cause I'm the Mullet man."

However the Oxford English Dictionary states the term is of uncertain origin.

It was rumoured that fishmongers in Iceland originally grew the hairstyle to keep their necks warm and dry against the North Atlantic spray where mullet can be found.

The mullet is of course a breed of flatheaded fish.

How can I get a mullet?

Getting a mullet just requires growing out your hair, trimming the top short, and keeping the back long.

Although it is best to get your hair cut professionally, many TikTok users have opted for a home haircut, so here are some tips to ensure that your mullet cut doesn't end in disaster.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

  • Ensure the hair is freshly washed; it's usually best to cut wet hair, but it will be much easier for you to see the shape you're creating with dry hair and you don't want to make the hair too short.
  • 2. Divide the top of your hair into four sections, top, back and both sides.

    3. Start with the top middle section and comb your hair over your forehead; then trim the sides. As you cut, hold the sections up at a 90-degree angle and cut bluntly across.

    4. Take your clipper and slowly buzz the sides off. Start with a high number guard for safety, and work your way down until you’ve found a length that suits you.

    Don’t buzz any further than the bone behind the ear because you want to maintain as much length as you can at the back.

    Find out whether your hair is long enough for a mullet here.

    Which celebrities have a mullet?

    The look was popularised by many musicians including Billie Ray Cyrus, singer-songwriter known for the country hit Achy Breaky Heart.

    Other celebrities have started to rock the haircut, including Billy's daughter Miley.

    Singing superstar Billie Eilish, comedian Seth Rogen and actress Zendaya have also tried out the hot hairstyle.

    Famous vlogger and barber, Jeff Wittek, is credited for popularising the look among men in the 2020s.

    The 31-year old comedian, best known for his surreal YouTube interview show, Jeff's Barbershop, cut his and best friend Todd Smith's iconic haircuts in 2020.

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    Joe Exotic, star of Netflix documentary Tiger King is another famous face, responsible for the growing obsession with mullets.

    Brad Pitt didn't impress fans much when he showed off his mullet in 2020.

    Rihanna, Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Damon Albarn and Zac Efron have also tried out the mullet cut.

    And not wanting to miss out, former PM Tony Blair had viewers talking about his haircut when he was interviewed about Scottish independence.

    The British man crowned the owner of the world's best mullet shows off his haircut

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