Epic Orta, the 8-year-old La Joya resident with the mullet that earned him national attention, has earned second place in the USA Mullet Championships, according to contest results the competition announced Sunday morning.
He had hovered in first place by over 800 votes for two days before Emmitt Bailey of Menomonie, Wisconsin pulled ahead and secured first place with 9,896 votes to Epic’s 8,404.
The son of Rio Grande Valley comedian Raymond and Keely Orta competed in the kid’s division for a chance to win $2,500, but by Sunday had received so much support and media attention he’d already won bragging rights as having one of the coolest mullets in the country.
He had been featured in local and state news outlets as well as being one of several finalists who earned kudos from “Joe Dirt” actor and mullet legend David Spade, who on TikTok complimented Epic and the others for their ’dos.
@davidspade Ok I’m chiming in on these little Joe Dirts. I see a lot of promise here. #usamulletchampionships #mullet #kentuckywaterfall
In an interview with The Monitor this past week, Epic said he named his mullet George and often refers to it in the third person. He also wished his competitors well ahead of the winners announcement Sunday.
His mother, Keely, spoke highly of her son for being a kind and considerate person who prays for strangers and has a “goofy” sense of humor, winning over anyone he meets.
For more on Epic, read his story here:
This is Epic: La Joya 8-year-old and his mullet live up to his name
