It was more than just Mary Sickler's gown that was sparkling onstage.
As the current Miss Nevada USA took the stage at the Miss USA preliminaries Oct. 22, she decided to leave her chocolate brown wig backstage for the evening wear portion of the competition.
While Mary—who was diagnosed with alopecia universalis in December 2024—first stepped out in a red bikini and a brunette wig for the swimsuit round, she decided to embrace her baldness for her final look.
Indeed, she dazzled in a jewel-encrusted headpiece that matched her blue and silver form-fitting gown. She completed the look with sparkling teardrop earrings and a smoky makeup look.
Following the powerful onstage moment, the 22-year-old—who was crowned Miss Nevada USA in July—reflected on being the first woman with alopecia to compete in the national beauty pageant.
"This dream has been so many years in the making, and to finally step into this moment feels surreal," she wrote on Instagram Oct. 22. "I never imagined I would walk that stage in this way, but I always hoped I would do it with confidence, authenticity, and grace."
"I am so proud to have achieved that goal, especially by being the first woman to walk the Miss USA stage without hair," she continued. "I am living proof that no trial can stand in the way of your wildest dream."
Although Mary—who first began competing in pageants at age 10—has been embracing all aspects of her beauty, it wasn't an easy journey. In fact, it wasn't until over a month after she earned her Miss Nevada title that she publicly shared her diagnosis.
"I don't want to keep hiding under wigs, under hats, under scarves," she shared in an Instagram video in September. "I think it's really important for me to share the challenges I've been going through and this is me. It's such a relief."
"I've been wanting to share this story for so long because I know this is a crucial step in my healing journey," the model continued, "and I know it's important for others to see that I'm confident with or without a wig."
Looking back at her decision, Mary saw the opportunity as a chance to redefine beauty standards.
"It was so important for this message to be out there because it's bigger than me," she emphasized. "It's bigger than a crown. This is about showing resilience. It's about showing not giving up when you're scared, not giving up when you don't feel beautiful."
For a deeper dive into the pageant world, keep reading...
1. Age isn't just a number when it comes to the storied Miss America pageant, first launched as a type of swimsuit competition on New Jersey's Atlantic City boardwalk back in 1921. Hopefuls for the 2026 event must be no older than 28 on Sept. 30, 2026, and no younger than 18 on Sept. 1, 2026, the day before the preliminary events kick off.
2. As for those that would be exactly 18 years old when they'd slip into their evening gowns and, ideally, that winning tiara, they enjoy what's called a "pivot year" in which they decide if they'd rather compete in the Teen or the Miss division. (The age requirement for teens: They must be no younger than 14 on Sept. 1, 2026; no older than 18 on Sept. 30.)
However, once the teens have chosen their adventure, they cannot change divisions until the next application cycle.
3. There's a reason the words are, "There she is, Miss America!" Hopefuls cannot be married at the time of competition (though they can be divorced). They also must certify that they're not pregnant and have no children.
4. As for all those state titleholders, they must stay in their lanes, so to speak. In order to compete for a state title, delegates must provide proof that they've lived in the state at least 120 consecutive days before they took the stage.
Other options: Proving that they've worked in the state a minimum of 40 hours a week for at least 120 days or are enrolled full-time at one of the state's accredited colleges or universities.
5. They've got talent, yes they do. Because the contestant's 90-second performance in the talent portion—singing, instrumental performances and dance are among the most popular, though Miss Vermont 2015 Alayna Westcom provided a chemistry lesson and that year's winner Kira Kazantsev played the cups Pitch Perfect-style—counts for 20 percent of the scoring in each round.
Not a part of the tally: The swimsuit competition, which was washed away in 2018.
6. Contestants know how to keep score. In both the prelims and the final rounds, those coveting the crown are judged on their private interview (worth 30 percent of their total score), a fitness category (20 percent), the talent portion (another 20 percent), the evening wear portion (their 20 percent is tallied based on confidence and composure) and the stage question segment (worth 10 percent).