Leila Noone, a 39-year-old American circus performer, has officially broken the Guinness World Record for the longest time suspended by the hair. In an awe-inspiring display of mental and physical strength, Leila hung by her ponytail for 25 minutes and 11.3 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 23 minutes and 19 seconds set in 2011 by Suthakaran Sivagnanathurai in Australia.
The daring attempt took place in June 2024 at the majestic Redwood National and State Parks in California, providing a breathtaking natural backdrop for this remarkable achievement.
Leila, who is a professional hair hanger, trained rigorously for two years to prepare for the challenge. She performed the stunt accompanied by live acoustic guitar music and uplifting affirmations from supporters. Friends and onlookers helped keep her focused and motivated as she struck a series of graceful poses mid-air, suspended solely by her hair.
“I wanted to show what people can achieve through the power of the mind,” said Leila, who is known for blending extreme physical artistry with mental discipline.
Hair hanging, a rare and ancient circus art, involves performers suspending their body weight using only their hair. Artists typically develop their own unique tying techniques—and whatever Leila’s method was, it clearly worked wonders.
No stranger to the spotlight, Leila has also appeared on American Ninja Warrior and boasts thousands of followers across social media platforms. She regularly shares videos of her gravity-defying performances.
Aside from hair suspension, Noone also performs handstand archery with her feet, aerial stunts, acrobatics, contortion and Cyr wheel. She works as a member of Cirque Vida, a circus company in Austin, Texas.
Her recent world record not only cements her place in the annals of circus history but also serves as a powerful reminder of human resilience, creativity, and strength.
Disclaimer: Leila is a trained professional. Do not attempt hair hanging without expert guidance.
