Get ready for a casting decision that’s sparking conversations far beyond the stage—transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, known for her role in the 2023 Bud Light controversy, is set to make her Broadway debut in the women-centered musical Six. But here’s where it gets controversial: Mulvaney will portray Anne Boleyn, one of King Henry VIII’s six wives, in a show that has long billed itself as a feminist celebration of women’s history. And this is the part most people miss—this casting comes just two years after Mulvaney’s partnership with Bud Light triggered a nationwide boycott, plunging the beer brand’s sales by nearly 30% and costing it its top-selling status in the U.S.
Six reimagines the lives of Henry VIII’s wives through a modern pop lens, framing them as queens who reclaim their identities from the shadow of their infamous husband. The musical’s official X account announced Mulvaney’s casting with a playful royal flair: ‘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 starting February 16!’ But the decision has ignited debate, as the production has historically emphasized its all-female ensemble and feminist narrative.
Is this a bold step toward inclusivity, or does it complicate the show’s mission to center women’s historical experiences? The controversy echoes the Bud Light backlash, where Mulvaney’s collaboration with the brand became a lightning rod for cultural divides. Mulvaney gained national attention in April 2023 after sharing videos of Bud Light’s promotional beer cans featuring her image, part of a campaign celebrating her first year of transitioning. The fallout was swift, with sales plummeting and the brand losing its market dominance.
Mulvaney, who rose to fame through her candid social media series Days of Girlhood, has been unapologetic about her identity. ‘I’m a woman no matter what my passport says,’ she declared on The View in 2025, addressing the State Department’s decision to remove the ‘X’ gender marker from passports. Yet, her casting in Six raises questions about representation, authenticity, and the boundaries of feminist storytelling.
Does Mulvaney’s inclusion in a show about historical women challenge or enhance its message? And what does this say about the evolving definition of ‘womanhood’ in 21st-century culture? The debate is far from settled, and Six’s decision to cast Mulvaney as Anne Boleyn is sure to keep audiences—and critics—talking. What’s your take? Let us know in the comments below!
