Broadway’s latest casting decision has ignited a firestorm of controversy, leaving many to wonder: Is this a bold step forward for representation, or a misguided attempt at inclusivity? Trans actress and TikTok sensation Dylan Mulvaney, 29, has been cast as Anne Boleyn in Six the Musical, a role that has sparked intense debate across social media platforms. But here’s where it gets controversial: while many celebrate this as a groundbreaking moment for trans visibility, others—particularly right-wing and gender-critical voices—have labeled the decision as ‘woke,’ arguing that the role should have gone to someone assigned female at birth. And this is the part most people miss: the backlash has been so severe that Six the Musical’s X (formerly Twitter) account was locked, restricting access to non-followers, and comments on the casting announcement on Instagram were disabled—a stark contrast to other casting posts that remain open for discussion.
Mulvaney, no stranger to online harassment, has faced relentless criticism before, most notably during her Bud Light collaboration. Now, her Broadway debut in a light-hearted comedy has become the latest battleground in the culture wars. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Mulvaney shared her excitement: ‘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 CAN’T STOP SMILING.’
The debate rages on, with critics like one X user claiming, ‘Giving women’s roles to men is unfair!’ while a notorious anti-LGBTQ+ account, Libs of TikTok, sarcastically remarked, ‘A man is playing a woman in a musical about celebrating women and “girl power”. Can’t make this up.’ Yet, Mulvaney’s supporters have been quick to counter these arguments. One defender pointed out the absurdity of the criticism, noting, ‘This is a show where Catherine of Aragon is Beyoncé and Katherine Howard is Ariana Grande. No part of this show has ever been about accurately recreating history—you’re just transphobic.’
Another supporter added, ‘Transphobes are SO!!! Mad that Dylan Mulvaney is gonna be playing Anne Boleyn… it just proves y’all know NOTHING!!! About Anne Boleyn and who she really was.’ Mulvaney herself addressed the hate in an Instagram video, acknowledging the ‘not-so-lovely messages’ but emphasizing her gratitude for the opportunity. ‘Being a trans person in 2026, when the world feels like it’s working against us in every way, to step out onto a Broadway stage as Anne Boleyn… I think that’s a miracle,’ she said. ‘If I had to go viral and face a far-right media firestorm to get here, I would do it all over again.’
Mulvaney’s journey to Broadway includes roles in The Book of Mormon, Legally Blonde, and Bye Bye Birdie, as well as her one-woman show, The Least Problematic Woman in the World. She joins Six the Musical on February 16 at the Lena Horne Theatre, marking a significant moment in her career—and in the ongoing conversation about representation in theater.
But here’s the question that lingers: Is this casting a triumph for diversity, or does it inadvertently fuel divisive narratives? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going.
