Dylan Mulvaney is a transgender influencer. After coming out on TikTok, her career path shifted from musical theater to activism. She has landed high-profile endorsement deals and crossed over to mainstream stardom.
Her internet presence is largely favorable. Yet, she received anti-trans criticism after sharing Bud Light, Olay, and Nike-sponsored videos. Mulvaney's business endorsements received major backlash.
Mulvaney as a TikTok Sensation During Pandemic
According to CNN, Mulvaney began her professional career on stage, touring North America as a leading cast member of the smash musical The Book of Mormon. In 2020, however, Mulvaney began using TikTok when the pandemic prevented most events from happening in person. She shared positive and enlightening videos about her experiences as an LGBT person.
In March 2022, Mulvaney revealed she was transgender, thus, started her TikTok series Days of Girlhood, which she documented practically every day of her transition.
Day 221 included Mulvaney's NowThis News interview with President Joe Biden, who was questioned whether he backed states' rights to limit gender-affirming health care. He did not support it, citing his late son, who supported transgender rights.
Big Brand Collabs Enrage Anti-Trans People
Mulvaney's rise to Internet stardom resulted in collaborations with major companies like Kate Spade, natural deodorant maker Native, and hair care innovator Olaplex. However, after seeing a 30-second online commercial ad for Bud Light, some consumers unleashed a torrent of anti-trans hate speech on her.
After day 365, Mulvaney commented that she did not know what March Madness was but would watch it with Bud Light. The company also presented her with a can bearing her image.
Due to Bud Light's support of Mulvaney, anti-trans activists have called for a boycott of the company.
In April, when Mulvaney shared a Nike advertisement, she faced similar anti-trans hatred. Moreover, some anti-trans TikTok users have called for a boycott of Olay after seeing Mulvaney in a commercial for the company.
Conservatives also reject Maybelline's deal with trans woman Dylan Mulvaney online. After the partnership, #BoycottMaybelline trended on Twitter.
Blocking Off Anti-Trans Prejudice
After all these issues, Mulvaney claims she does her best to ignore transphobic comments.
Mulvaney claimed in an interview with Rolling Stone that she had attempted to give her anti-trans detractors a chance before concluding that their views were motivated by "pure hatred."
She told Rolling Stone, "I've now made a little bit of peace with the fact that people have a problem with my transness or with my joy. And that's on them. That has nothing to do with me."
Now a Lesbian "Hoping To Be Impregnated"
On June 1, Sky News anchor James MacPherson claimed that Mulvaney has come out as a lesbian and that she hopes to be impregnated by another woman.
"Mulvaney is a man identifying as a woman claiming to be a lesbian hoping to be impregnated by a woman," MacPherson stated.
"President Biden says the public need more exposure to this. I'm not questioning Mulvaney, Mulvaney should be free to do as he pleases, but you've got to ask why the President of the United States wants a cut of the action."
