Bald Miss Delaware to take part in Miss America beauty pageant

Washington, Jan 6 (ANI): Miss Delaware, Kayla Martell, who suffers from alopecia areata, a disorder that causes hair loss, is all set to take part in the Miss America beauty pageant which will be held next week.

Martell, 21, was diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder, which attacks hair follicles and results in the loss of hair on the scalp and other parts of the body, when she was in fifth grade.

She eventually lost all her hair, but it did not stop her from pursuing her dream.

"I decided to use my crown to show that it is time we redefine what it really means to be beautiful," ABC News quoted Martell as writing in an email.

"To me, beauty is a part of your soul...You can be 'beautiful' on the outside and 'ugly' on the inside...But confidence and compassion are the real makeup of a beautiful person.

"If I am crowned Miss America, it would be an opportunity to lead by example, redefine the 'ideal' and show young people that beauty really does come in all different packages.

"And even bald can be beautiful," she added. (ANI)