Dylan Mulvaney, the transgender content creator who became a central figure in one of recent history's most significant corporate marketing controversies, is set to make her Broadway debut in a role that merges historical drama with modern cultural discourse. The influencer will portray Anne Boleyn, the ill-fated second wife of King Henry VIII, in the hit musical 'Six', beginning February 16.
The announcement came through the musical's official social media channels, which enthusiastically proclaimed the casting decision. The production's X account posted a characteristically playful message: 'Losing our heads to introduce your newest Anne Boleyn! Show some royal love to Queen Dylan Mulvaney, who will be joining the #SIXBroadway 5.0 cast as Anne Boleyn starting February 16!' This clever wordplay references Boleyn's historical beheading while celebrating the new addition to the cast.
'Six' has established itself as a cultural phenomenon since its Broadway premiere, reimagining the stories of Henry VIII's six wives through a contemporary pop music lens. The show frames these historical women not as footnotes to their infamous husband's legacy but as individual artists reclaiming their narratives. Each queen takes the stage to share her story, transforming centuries-old tales of execution, divorce, and survival into what the production markets as '21st century girl power'. The musical's feminist approach has been central to its identity, with marketing materials consistently emphasizing its all-female ensemble and celebration of women's historical experiences. This positioning has earned the production critical acclaim, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score in 2022.
The casting of Mulvaney has generated considerable online discussion precisely because of this feminist framing. The show has built its reputation on providing a platform exclusively for women's voices, making the inclusion of a transgender woman in a principal role both a progressive step forward and a subject of debate among different audience constituencies. Some view it as a natural extension of the show's inclusive ethos, while others question whether it aligns with the production's historical focus on cisgender women's experiences. This conversation reflects broader societal discussions about gender identity and the evolving definition of womanhood in contemporary culture.
Mulvaney's path to Broadway began not on the stage but through social media, where she documented her gender transition in a daily series titled 'Days of Girlhood'. This intimate chronicle of her journey attracted millions of followers and established her as a prominent voice in the transgender community. Her rise to mainstream recognition, however, came through an unexpected and ultimately controversial partnership with a major corporation.
In April 2023, Mulvaney shared videos revealing that Bud Light had created special edition beer cans featuring her face as part of a campaign commemorating her first full year of transition. What began as a celebration quickly escalated into a nationwide cultural firestorm. The partnership ignited a massive boycott movement, particularly among conservative consumers, who viewed the collaboration as an example of corporate overreach into social issues. The backlash was swift and severe, with Bud Light experiencing a dramatic downturn in sales that persisted for months.
According to reports from early 2024, Bud Light's sales plummeted by nearly 30% in the months following the campaign. The controversy became a defining case study in modern corporate marketing, demonstrating how quickly brand partnerships could become lightning rods for broader cultural conflicts. The beer brand, which had long held the position of America's top-selling beer, saw its market dominance shattered, losing its crown to competitors who managed to avoid similar cultural entanglements.
Throughout the fallout, Mulvaney remained relatively quiet about the controversy's personal impact, though she occasionally addressed the situation in interviews. In March 2025, she appeared on 'The View' to discuss the partnership, offering a straightforward defense of her involvement. 'I love beer,' she stated matter-of-factly, adding that she 'didn't think anything of it' when presented with the brand deal. This casual acceptance of what would become a historically significant marketing misstep highlighted the unpredictable nature of internet fame and corporate collaboration.
The influencer also used her platform to address broader political developments affecting the transgender community. During an appearance on 'CBS Mornings', Mulvaney criticized the Trump administration's rollback of transgender-related policies, specifically referencing the State Department's decision to discontinue issuing passports with an 'X' gender marker. 'It didn't change any way that I think about myself because I'm a woman no matter what my passport says,' she asserted, framing her identity as immutable regardless of official documentation.
Now, with her Broadway debut in 'Six', Mulvaney enters a new chapter in her public life. The role of Anne Boleyn is particularly resonant given the historical figure's own experience with public scrutiny, political maneuvering, and ultimate downfall. Boleyn, who was executed on charges of treason and adultery in 1536, has been reinterpreted by historians and artists alike as a complex woman navigating the dangerous waters of Tudor court politics. In 'Six', she is portrayed as a sharp-witted, ambitious queen who refuses to be defined solely by her tragic end. The musical's structure allows each wife to tell her story through song, with Boleyn's number typically delivered with a pop-punk edge that emphasizes her rebellious spirit. This characterization aligns interestingly with Mulvaney's own public persona—someone who has faced intense public judgment yet continues to assert her identity and pursue her ambitions.
The casting represents a significant milestone for transgender representation in mainstream theater. While Broadway has made strides in recent years toward greater inclusivity, principal roles for transgender performers remain relatively rare. Mulvaney's casting brings new visibility to transgender artists and may signal a broader shift in how casting directors approach roles in historically gendered productions. For the musical itself, the decision to cast Mulvaney demonstrates a willingness to engage with contemporary cultural conversations. The show, which has always positioned itself as a modern feminist statement, now finds itself at the intersection of gender identity, historical representation, and commercial entertainment. This move could attract new audiences while potentially challenging some existing fans' expectations about the production's mission.
The timing of Mulvaney's debut also coincides with ongoing national debates about transgender rights and representation. As various states consider legislation affecting transgender individuals and federal policies continue to shift, cultural moments like this casting take on added significance. Theater has long served as a space for exploring and challenging social norms, and 'Six' with Mulvaney in its cast becomes part of that tradition. The production's producers have not commented extensively on the casting decision beyond the initial announcement, allowing the performance to speak for itself. This approach mirrors the show's overall philosophy of letting these historical women reclaim their voices—a principle that now extends to include a modern voice from the transgender community.
As February 16 approaches, theater observers and culture watchers alike will be paying attention to how audiences respond to this new interpretation of Anne Boleyn. The performance will likely be scrutinized not just for its artistic merit but for what it represents in the broader landscape of representation and inclusion. For Mulvaney, it offers an opportunity to be recognized for her performance rather than her controversies, to step into a character with centuries of historical weight while bringing her own unique perspective to the role.
Whether this casting proves to be a one-time event or the beginning of a new trend in Broadway casting remains to be seen. What is certain is that it adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about who gets to tell women's stories, how we define womanhood in both historical and contemporary contexts, and the role of commercial theater in reflecting and shaping cultural values. The marriage of a social media-age influencer with a historical feminist musical creates a moment that is, much like the six wives themselves, impossible to ignore.