When it comes to mullets, there are two qualities that come to mind — boldness and confidence. When it comes to Epic Orta, there are two qualities that also come to mind — badassery and legendary. Combine the two and you’ll get one epic mullet.
At least that’s the legacy the 8-year-old La Joya native has already earned in the Rio Grande Valley, across the country, and even from one Saturday Night Live alum; and it’s all thanks to his neck warmer.
The USA Mullet Championship kicked off its competition this past week in which the Valley resident gained national recognition. He’s already gained 6,332 votes in the competition and currently holds first place. Voting ended Friday, and the winner will be announced Sunday morning.
The business in the front and party in the back hairstyle was popularized in the 1980s and has now made a comeback as more and more people take on the look.
Epic has been rocking the mullet hairstyle for a while but only recently entered the competition. His fluffy and wild hair complements the sweet-natured attitude of the 8-year-old son of local comedian Raymond and Keely Orta.
The mullet has been passed down from generation to generation in the Orta household. In fact, Epic’s grandfather, dad, and even dog sported a mullet at one point.
“Epic has had a mullet for years and he is very adamant about not getting his mullet cut,” his mother, Keely said.
Epic even gave his mullet a name, George, and refers to it in the third person.
“Every time I go to clean up his mullet because I cut his hair, he’s like ‘George hates getting his haircut. George doesn’t want a haircut,’ and I’m just like ‘OK dude,’” Keely added.
George has alter egos, too: Phoenix and Dan.
“I had my mullet since I was little and its name is George but I call it Phoenix,” Epic said.
These names represent character for a hairstyle and child that exemplify nothing but character, a trait Keely is conscious of when she cuts Epic’s hair. She uses household scissors which she believes just adds a sense of charisma to the look.
“Mullet haircuts are a challenge because you’re blending the whole business in the front and party in the back look and the sides can get a little out of control,” Keely said.
The cut, however, is a look that not everyone can pull off, explained Keely, adding it requires confidence.
“It’s not just the haircut. There is an attitude that goes with it like you have to want the haircut … It’s a lifestyle choice, like it’s a whole persona. That’s why people often name their mullets because it takes on a life of its own,” she added about her son, who she described as sweet, innocent and endearingly goofy.
“He’s always got little goofy jokes.”
But there’s more to Epic than his hair and humor. He’s also considerate of other people and has a sense of empathy. For instance, when asked to talk about how his attitude matches his hairstyle, and the competition he faces, the child displayed grace and only wished his opponents well.
The proud mom gushed over him, saying “that’s my baby” as she spoke of the support Epic’s earned this week. Support that he’s gained not just because of his hair but also because of his caring nature.
“Something that he does that is really beautiful is that he likes to pray for people,” Keely said. “He’ll pray for you in a heartbeat if he hears that you’re not feeling good. He’ll drop what he was doing for anybody … he just has this beautiful spirit about him.”
His love for others is a characteristic she believes is reflected in his mullet.
“He’s got a larger than life personality that matches his larger than life hair … He lives up to his name, that’s for sure,” Keely said.
To say that the La Joya child has garnered the support of all who meet him would be a gross understatement. Actually, one could say his support has only grown over the years to epic proportions.
“He has met so many people that just love him because he wants to pray for them, so he already at 8-years-old built his own network of people that know him and love him and want to support him. So that’s why I think he is doing really well,” Keely said.
Among his many supporters is comedian Dave Spade, Joe Dirt himself, who lent his opinion on the competition Friday and critiqued Epic’s look.
The actor portrayed the titular role in the 2001 comedy “Joe Dirt,” a now-beloved character in pop culture who sported his own mullet in the film, and was complimentary of the La Joya boy’s style in a TikTok video.
“Epic — different shades, nice, interesting. Hawaiian shirt — I don’t know if I’d go with that. All winners to me though,” Spade said in the video.
