Ponytailed circus performer sets world record with a hair-raising feat

News24

17-06-2025

Talk about a hair-raising experience!
Leila Noone has used her impressive mane of hair to make history. The circus performer from Santa Monica spent over 25 minutes suspended from a giant redwood tree by her ponytail to set a new record for the longest hair-hanging time.
Her May feat, which took place in the majestic Redwood National and State Parks in the US, shattered the previous record of 23 minutes and 19 seconds set by Australian Suthakaran Sivagnanathurai in 2011.
'I saw a hair-hang act years ago and it struck something deep within me,' Leila (38) tells YOU.
'I was in awe and knew I wanted to learn. The paradox of softness and strength – hanging by hair yet floating with grace – captivated me.'
The record didn't come easily. Leila trained rigorously for two years, combining physical conditioning with mental preparation.
'When I heard '25 minutes and 1 second', I was still suspended mid-air. My scalp felt on fire, but my spirit had never felt more alive. I broke through barriers I didn't know existed.'
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Her training regimen included yoga while aerial arts and her circus conditioning developed her endurance and body awareness.
'Contortion and breathwork helped refine my control and expand my limits,' she explains.
Physical training was only half the battle.
'Mental preparation – meditation, visualisation and inner healing – was essential. Our bodies store emotions as tension, which can manifest as injuries. Releasing grief and forgiving the past were as critical as any strength drill.'
Born in Connecticut, Leila has travelled across America, from New York to Austin to California, with each place shaping different aspects of her identity.
'I seek places and people where I feel creatively and energetically alive,' she reflects.
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The hair-hanging technique requires meticulous attention. 'Setting the knot, braids and wrap system properly distributes tension evenly,' Leila explains.
'If done improperly, it leads to hair loss or nerve damage. Progressive conditioning and proper technique are crucial.'
She chose to hang from a redwood because the tree represents 'ancient strength, interconnectedness and wisdom'.
'It was a spiritual decision as much as a logistical one. I wanted nature to hold me.'
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After her act of endurance she needed to take time to recover.
'I cried and returned to my body slowly. My community enveloped me in a loving hug and massaged my neck. It was both physical and emotional decompression.'
Looking forward, Leila plans to continue creative projects and teach others to find inner strength.
'I hope this reminds people there's no single mould for strength. We can be fierce and soft, grounded and elevated. Circus can be both entertaining and soul-stirring.
'Breaking a record was never about ego. It was about embodiment – listening to a whisper from within and following through. I hope anyone reading this remembers their own wild dreams are worth chasing too,' she adds.
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