The casting of Dylan Mulvaney in "Six the Musical" has ignited a firestorm of controversy, proving once again how deeply divided opinions can be when identity intersects with art. The show's X (formerly Twitter) account was locked down amidst a barrage of negativity – but why did this casting decision trigger such a strong reaction, and what does it say about the current cultural climate?
Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender actress and prominent TikTok influencer, recently landed a role in the Broadway production of "Six the Musical." The 29-year-old is set to portray Anne Boleyn, the infamous second wife of King Henry VIII. This casting announcement, however, wasn't met with universal applause.
A significant backlash erupted, primarily fueled by right-wing and gender-critical voices on X.com. Critics labeled the decision "woke," arguing that the role should have been given to someone assigned female at birth. But here's where it gets controversial: Is the criticism rooted in genuine concern for historical accuracy, or does it stem from something deeper?
The intensity of the reaction prompted the "Six the Musical" team to make their X account private, effectively shielding it from further public scrutiny by non-followers. While their Instagram account remains public, they've disabled comments on the specific post announcing Mulvaney's casting. Interestingly, this restriction doesn't extend to other casting announcements, suggesting a targeted response to the specific controversy surrounding Mulvaney. And this is the part most people miss: the selective muting highlights just how sensitive the issue has become.
Mulvaney is no stranger to online harassment. She previously faced intense anti-trans backlash following her collaboration with Bud Light. Now, she's facing a similar storm for simply appearing in a light-hearted Broadway comedy. Is this a case of holding public figures accountable, or is it something more akin to targeted harassment?
Despite the negativity, Mulvaney expressed her excitement about the role on Instagram, stating, "YAY BROADWAY! so happy my bway debut is playing a fellow polarizing woman in this perfect musical next month I hope you will all come watch me live my dream I am SO HAPPY I CANT STOP SMILING."
Critics, however, remain vocal. One X user wrote, "Although [Six] has closed down their account due to backlash after casting Dylan Mulvaney in the Broadway musical Six as Anne Boleyn, you can continue to tell them that giving women’s roles to men is unfair!" This sentiment encapsulates a common argument against the casting choice. But is it truly "unfair," or does it reflect a limited understanding of gender identity and the evolving landscape of representation in the arts?
Adding fuel to the fire, the notorious anti-LGBTQ+ account Libs of TikTok posted, "A man is playing a woman in a musical about celebrating women and 'girl power'. Can’t make this up." This statement, while inflammatory, raises an important question: How do we reconcile traditional notions of gender with the increasing visibility of trans and non-binary individuals in public life?
However, Mulvaney has also found strong support. One person countered the negativity by writing, "'They made Anne Boleyn trans' is so funny considering this is a show where Catherine of Aragon is Beyoncé and Katherine Howard is Ariana Grande like no part of this show has ever been about accurately recreating history, you’re just transphobic." This response highlights the satirical and anachronistic nature of "Six," suggesting that historical accuracy isn't the primary focus.
Another supporter shared, "Transphobes are SO!!! Mad that Dylan Mulvaney is gonna be playing Anne Boleyn in SIX The Musical on Broadway and its just hilarious that a woman playing another woman has y’all so upset because it just proves y’all know NOTHING!!! About Anne Boleyn and who she really was." This comment implies that the criticism is based on prejudice rather than a genuine understanding of Anne Boleyn's character or the intentions of the musical.
It's worth noting that Mulvaney has a diverse performance background, having appeared in "The Book of Mormon," "Legally Blonde," and "Bye Bye Birdie." She also presented her own one-woman show titled "The Least Problematic Woman in the World."
In a heartfelt Instagram video following the casting announcement, Mulvaney addressed both the positive and negative reactions. She acknowledged the "not-so-lovely messages" questioning her abilities but ultimately focused on the significance of her casting. "Being a trans person in 2026 when this world is working against us in what feels like every way, for me 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 shared. She added that she would endure the online attacks again if it meant fulfilling her dream of performing on Broadway.
Mulvaney is scheduled to join the cast of "Six" on February 16 at the Lena Horne Theatre.
So, where do you stand on this issue? Is the casting of Dylan Mulvaney a positive step toward greater representation, or does it cross a line? Are the criticisms valid concerns about historical accuracy and artistic integrity, or are they rooted in prejudice and transphobia? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let's have a constructive conversation.
