ALL OF IT Podcast Summary: "Trans Activist and Influencer Dylan Mulvaney on Becoming a Right-Wing Lightning Rod"

Host: Alison Stewart
Episode Release Date: March 14, 2025
Guest: Dylan Mulvaney, Trans Activist, Influencer, Actor, and Author
Podcast: ALL OF IT by WNYC
Duration Covered: Approximately 00:37 to 21:53

1. Introduction to Dylan Mulvaney's Journey

Alison Stewart opens the episode by introducing Dylan Mulvaney, an influential internet personality who began publicly documenting her gender transition in 2022 through her video series, "Days of Girlhood." These videos blend humor with vulnerability, garnering millions of followers on platforms like TikTok. Dylan shares an early video excerpt (01:07) where she humorously yet poignantly reflects on the challenges of embracing girlhood, emphasizing that true identity transcends external appearances.

Notable Quote:

Dylan Mulvaney (01:07): "It's what's in here that matters."

2. The Bud Light Controversy and Its Aftermath

The conversation delves into a significant event two years prior—Bud Light's decision to feature Dylan in a March Madness advertisement. This partnership ignited intense backlash from certain segments, leading to a boycott and high-profile incidents like Kid Rock destroying a case of Bud Light on social media. The backlash forced Dylan into a temporary retreat from the public eye. However, she has since re-emerged with a burgeoning presence, now boasting 9 million TikTok followers, authoring a memoir, and launching a new podcast.

Notable Quote:

Dylan Mulvaney (01:53): "Bud Light ran an advertisement featuring me, and it sparked a massive backlash."

3. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Her Self-Discovery

Alison Stewart inquires about the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic's downtime on Dylan's personal journey. Dylan reflects on how the pandemic was a transformative period, allowing her to step away from her roles in the Broadway tour of "A Book of Mormon" and deeply question her identity beyond her stage persona. This introspection was pivotal in her embracing womanhood, leading to three years of transition that she describes as the "happiest path" for her.

Notable Quote:

Dylan Mulvaney (02:51): "...the pandemic gave me privacy to... change my pronouns and have hard conversations."

4. Launching the Memoir: "Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer"

Dylan discusses her new memoir, detailing the challenges of writing and publishing while navigating public scrutiny. She emphasizes that her book captures the essence of her evolving identity, portraying her early transition years with a blend of earnestness and innocence. Dylan underscores the theme that personal growth is an ongoing journey without a definitive endpoint.

Notable Quote:

Dylan Mulvaney (05:03): "A major theme of the book is earnestness and innocence in adults."

5. Navigating Family Relationships and Acceptance

A significant portion of Dylan's memoir focuses on her relationship with her mother. She candidly shares the struggles and eventual acceptance within her conservative Catholic family. By including personal narratives about her mother, Dylan aims to provide a realistic portrayal of familial dynamics during a trans individual’s transition, hoping to assist other families grappling with similar experiences.

Notable Quote:

Dylan Mulvaney (12:27): "She had to grieve her son and she gained a daughter."

6. Dealing with Fame and Public Scrutiny

Dylan reflects on the rapid ascent to fame facilitated by platforms like TikTok, which enabled her to amass over a million followers swiftly. She describes feeling as though she has "10 million best friends" who serve as her support system. However, fame also exposed her to harsh criticisms and targeted attacks, notably from trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs). Dylan highlights the importance of mental health support and discerning trusted individuals to navigate these challenges.

Notable Quote:

Dylan Mulvaney (09:54): "TikTok set a new precedent for people to go viral that didn't really have access to before."

7. Mental Health and Resilience Amidst Backlash

The host brings up the intense negativity Dylan faced, including suggestions that her gender identity might be a mental illness. Dylan discusses her strategies for maintaining mental health, such as engaging in therapy and surrounding herself with supportive figures who affirm her identity. She emphasizes the importance of protecting her heart from the pervasive negativity online.

Notable Quote:

Dylan Mulvaney (12:27): "I needed to find ways to protect my heart and my mental health that were separate from the Internet."

8. The Significance of Access to Gender-Affirming Care

Dylan acknowledges her privilege in accessing gender-affirming care promptly, a luxury not afforded to many in the trans community. She credits her platform and brand partnerships for funding her transition, contrasting her experience with those who struggle to obtain necessary medical care. Dylan urges listeners to recognize the profound impact that gender-affirming care has on an individual's sense of self and well-being.

Notable Quote:

Dylan Mulvaney (15:35): "It helped me look in the mirror and see the girl that I always was."

9. Launching "The Dylan Hour" Podcast

Looking ahead, Dylan announces her forthcoming podcast, "The Dylan Hour," scheduled to debut on March 19th with Lemonada Media. She expresses excitement about transitioning from solitary video creation to engaging in live conversations with guests, aiming to provide her audience with deeper insights into her interactions with influential figures.

Notable Quote:

Dylan Mulvaney (21:13): "I wanted to finally be able to sit across from a real person and have a conversation."

10. Conclusion and Final Reflections

In closing, Dylan underscores the importance of joy and authenticity as acts of resistance against anti-trans sentiments prevalent in the current sociopolitical climate. Her memoir and upcoming podcast are presented as manifestations of this resilience, celebrating trans joy and challenging pervasive negativity.

Notable Quote:

Dylan Mulvaney (20:17): "This book is a piece of trans joy during a time when it feels hard to find it."

Final Thoughts

This episode of ALL OF IT offers an in-depth exploration of Dylan Mulvaney's personal and public journey as a trans woman navigating fame, backlash, and self-discovery. Through candid conversations, Dylan provides valuable insights into the complexities of living authentically in the public eye, the essential support systems that sustain her, and her ongoing efforts to foster understanding and acceptance within society.