On Friday, January 16, it was announced that Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer, will be taking the role of Henry the VIII second wife, Anne Boleyn, in Six The Musical. The show is a modern retelling of the stories of Henry the VIII six wives modern, pop style retelling.

Shortly after Mulvaney’s involvement was announced, she became targeted by anti-transgender commenters who argued that the role of Boleyn should have been given to a cisgender woman. Some even use the argument that it’s not historically accurate to have a transgender woman play the part. Even though the wives form a pop band in the show and are also played by women of color, which counts as ‘not historically accurate.’ Other critics slammed Mulvaney’s casting, saying she doesn’t have the musical talent and was only cast for her large social media following. 

Mulvaney posted a TikTok response video on January 19th responding to her haters with beaming positivity. She started her 4-minute-long video with celebrating her “1408 days of girlhood”, which is the amount of days she has come out publicly.

“I’ve gotten so many lovely messages since this was announced, especially from folks that have followed me since the beginning of my journey. I just want to thank you so much and I hope you get to enjoy this as much as I do,” she said, before briefly turning her attention to the trolls.

“I’ve also gotten some not so lovely messages questioning my abilities, or just hating in general. My first instinct was to come on here and try to convince those people that I do have what it takes to be a Broadway performer and to tell you why. Then I realized that I shouldn’t waste my breath on that because this is a miracle,” she said.

Mulvaney continued on in her video to speak about how she hopes for others performers to make it to Broadway like she has and that others also deserve that chance of performing too.

“It’s a miracle for anyone to make it to Broadway. There are so many incredible performers that deserve to be and I genuinely hope that they will.”

Mulvaney continued in her video explaining why it is so important for her, a trans woman, in this current political climate, to play a role such as Anne Boleyn. Who was an important historical figure in women’s history.

“Being a trans person in 2026 when this world is working against us in what feels like every way, for me to being able to step out onto a Broadway stage as Anne Boleyn and perform an iconic historical character’s role in a show that is so rooted in celebrating femininity, I think that’s a miracle,” she said. 

She also quietly agreed  that her extensive social media presence with 10 million followers on Instagram and TikTok combined may have helped her acting career, but that it was not an easy ride.

“If I had to go viral and find myself in a far-right media firestorm and spend many years and many tears wondering why that was happening and trying desperately to get back to what I once loved, which was theatre, I would do it all over again,” she continued. 

In 2023, Mulvaney was involved in more backlash when she did an advertisement for the beer company, Bud Light. This caused her to become involved in months-long anti-trans campaigns by right wing media outlets and political commentators. In her debut memoir Paper Doll, she wrote about the lasting impact of the scandal on her mental health. 

“If there are any queer or trans kids watching, I just want you to know that you can literally do anything,” she finished.

Mulvaney then gives words of encouragement for other queer people like her. Saying that she is one of the many people that would cheer them on while it feels like when others aren’t.

“Do not let anyone take away what brings you joy…. It might not feel like it but there are so many people cheering you on, and I am one of them.”

Mulvaney will join the company February 16, alongside Abigail Barlow as Katherine Howard. Original cast members Adrianna Hicks and Anna Uzele will return as Catherine of Aragon and Catherine Parr, respectively; and 2024 cast member Olivia Donalson will reprise her role as Anna of Cleves.