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Hair Isn't Everything, Even If You're Competing For Miss America!

I'm a little late at posting this, as the Miss America Pageant for 2011 is now over. But, I watched the pageant when it aired on January 15th and was intrigued by one of the contestants who made it to the top ten - Kayla Martell (Miss Delaware.) Kayla was diagnosed with Alopecia when she was a little girl and lost all of her hair at age 13. She obviously didn't let it slow her down or keep her from achieving her dreams though.

Here's an interview she did on the Early Show about her disease and beauty pageants :


During the Miss America Pageant they showed another interview with her where she said that she thinks of her wigs as fun accessories she gets to wear. She seems to be completely comfortable going bald and actually competed in a few pageants without a wig.

I know the pre-teen and teenage years can be very hard and a lot of focus seems to be on the outward appearance at that age. I think Kayla is a great role model for young girls. It's great that she is so confidant and doesn't let her hair loss get in the way.

I am a strong believer in what is on the inside of a person is much more important than what is on the outside. Besides that, isn't she gorgeous either way?!

Photo courtesy of people.com

Photo courtesy of naaf.org
I love that someone made it to the Miss America pageant who doesn't necessarily fit the standard of "perfection" that is usually represented. I hope to see more of that in the future!

Whould you like to comment?

  1. OMG! This was beautiful...I am so happy for her.

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  2. WOW!! This is AMAZING!! KUDOS to her!
    Thanks for sharing this.

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  3. I totally love your last statement. I too believe that our natural beauty as women should be celebrated in these pageants. I hope to see more of it!

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  4. Wow! That is remarkable, and such a way to make a statement! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I was rooting for Kayla, specifically because she has alopecia. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be Miss America but was told "Miss America is NOT bald." So, I gave up the dream. So glad she held on to hers, even if she didn't walk away with the title.

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  6. I think she looks better without the wig than with! In the UK we have a TV presenter Gail Porter who developed Alopecia and it hasn't stopped her one bit. She is well loved celebrity who isn't ashamed of being bald. We love her!

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gail_Porter

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  7. Fabulous! Thanks for sharing! She is beautiful... and like Louise said, I think she's prettier without the wig. :) Congrats to Kayla!!!

    ~Karli

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  8. Wow! She really is beautiful with or without her wig. What a great role model for girls out there who might be feeling the social pressures of external beauty. Thanks for sharing this!

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  9. Thanks for posting this. It was truly heartwarming and inspiring.

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  10. I saw this on tv about a week ago and that what an amazing women she is thanks for the post

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  11. This is an amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing w/all of us. Makes us realize it's all about our INNER beauty :)

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  12. What a great story. I am sure glad you shared that.

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  13. What an extraordinary young woman. I was so impressed by her poise and caring in that interview. I'm so sad she didn't win Miss America; what a wonderful ambassador she would have been for our country!

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