Dylan Mulvaney a TikTok star found herself in the middle of a huge storm after a partnership with Bud Light . Recently she sat down on 'The View' to talk about that experience almost two years later and it was definitely eye-opening. Let's dive into what she shared.
Opening Up on 'The View': Dylan Mulvaney Revisits the Bud Light Rollercoaster and Its Impact
Dylan started by saying something surprising “Well I will start by saying I love beer and I always have.” She wasn't joking she really likes beer! So when Bud Light reached out it felt like a natural fit for her. She mentioned "I didn't think anything of it because I was like ‘Oh this is perfect.’ It felt like an organic thing to do and it was just another part of me." She just thought it would be a fun collaboration nothing more.
But things quickly went south. Dylan described being totally confused as the backlash exploded. She suddenly became a "poster child" for something much bigger than just a beer ad. Being trans she explained is only one small piece of who she is but the controversy made it her entire identity in the public eye. It became overwhelming.
She admitted she wasn't prepared for the sheer scale of negativity. Though acknowledging her privilege as a public figure she emphasized the broader impact on the trans community which often lacks resources and support. Writing her new book "Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer" helped her process everything. She realized that even though people see her as an optimist inside she was really hurting. Having her gender euphoria weaponized against her she explained felt like a "mind game."
What actually helped her get through it? Dylan credited the trans women in her life. They reached out offered support and basically said "Welcome to our reality." That community she said was essential in navigating such a difficult period.
During the interview 'The View' hosts touched on current hot topics. Dylan skillfully dodged a question about Gavin Newsom and fairness in women's sports using a funny "Wicked" musical reference. She kept the focus on her personal experience and the larger trans rights conversation.
Bud Light's Aftermath: Sales Drop and Attempts to Reconnect with Customers
The Bud Light controversy as you might remember had a real impact on the brand. Reports show sales dropped almost 30% after the partnership. That's a massive hit for a huge company. Even now Bud Light is still working to recover. They have tried different strategies to win back customers including ads featuring Shane Gillis and Post Malone. These figures are definitely different from Dylan and maybe targeted at a different audience. However some experts say the brand hasn't fully bounced back yet. It shows how powerful public reaction can be especially in today's social media driven world.
"Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer": More Than Just Controversy in Dylan's New Memoir
Dylan's appearance on 'The View' was partly to promote her new book "Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer." It is not just about the Bud Light situation. The book is a memoir that goes deep into her journey. It uses journal entries to document her first year of gender transition. She calls it her "quarter life crisis" but emphasizes the book's heart going beyond social media soundbites.
Her TikTok series "Days of Girlhood" really made her famous gaining over a billion views. The book explores that rise to fame and her personal journey. Dylan shares her lifelong understanding of her gender identity . "I knew I was a girl. That was one of the purest thoughts and intentions I've ever had throughout my entire life" she explained. But she was told otherwise creating a conflict she had to navigate.
She initially came out as gay at 14 but transitioning to living as a woman took more time and self-discovery. The book delves into all of that. It also addresses the mental health toll of the Bud Light backlash. Dylan writes about feeling guilty and ashamed like her experience negatively impacted the entire trans community. She even experienced suicidal thoughts during that period showing the intense personal struggle behind the public controversy. The book sounds like a very honest and personal look into Dylan's life beyond the headlines.
Dylan Mulvaney's Message: Trans Rights and the Desire to Thrive
Dylan's story and her book come at a time of ongoing debate about transgender rights in the US. She directly addressed this broader issue on 'The View'. She highlighted the lawsuit challenging President Trump's policy on gender markers on passports emphasizing "I'm a woman no matter what my passport says."
She pushed back against negative portrayals of trans people saying "We are not hurting anyone. We're less than 1% of the population. And the way that they speak about us so often is as if we're taking over cities like Godzilla." She wants trans people to have the opportunity to thrive but recognizes the current challenges. Her message is about visibility acceptance and the right to live authentically without fear or discrimination. Her appearance on 'The View' and her book contribute to this important conversation.
Key Takeaways from Dylan Mulvaney's 'The View' Interview
- Love for Beer: Dylan surprisingly started by stating her genuine enjoyment of beer making the Bud Light partnership feel natural to her initially.
- Confusion and Overwhelmed: She expressed confusion at the scale and intensity of the Bud Light backlash feeling like she became an unexpected "poster child."
- Mental Health Impact: Dylan candidly discussed the toll on her mental health including suicidal ideation dissociation guilt and shame.
- Community Support: She highlighted the crucial role of trans women in her life who offered support and solidarity during the controversy.
- Book as Reflection: Her new memoir "Paper Doll" is presented as a deeper more nuanced account of her transition and experiences than social media allows.
Dylan Mulvaney's Story: Beyond the Headlines and into the Human Experience
Dylan Mulvaney's appearance on 'The View' offered a glimpse beyond the simplified narratives surrounding the Bud Light controversy. It was a chance for her to share her personal experience her emotional journey and her perspective on the larger issues at play. Her story is a reminder that behind public debates and media storms there are real people with real feelings and complex lives. Her book and her continued visibility are part of an ongoing effort to share those stories and advocate for a more inclusive and understanding world.