Trans-identifying influencer Dylan Mulvaney just did an interview with Rosie O’Donnell following the controversy with Bud Light, breaking silence in the wake of ongoing boycotts after their brand partnership became public.
Mulvaney claimed to be an “easy target” for critics because of only “transitioning” in the past year.
“The reason that I think I am so…I’m an easy target is because I’m so new to this,” the TikTok star told O’Donnell on Tuesday’s episode of “Onward.”
“I think going after a trans woman that’s been doing this for like 20 years is a lot more difficult. I think maybe they think that there’s some sort of chance with me … But what is their goal?”
“These people, they don’t understand me and anything that I do or say then somehow gets taken out of context and is used against me and it’s so sad because everything I try to put out is positive,” the influencer added. “It’s trying to connect with others that maybe don’t understand me. It’s to make people laugh or to make a kid feel seen.”
Bud Light received intense backlash earlier this month after Mulvaney announced a brand partnership with the beer company. The brand sent Mulvaney a custom beer pack that featured the influencer’s face on the cans to celebrate the first anniversary of Mulvaney’s “transition.” Mulvaney has also partnered with multiple other brands, including Olay, KitchenAid, Kate Spade, Ulta Beauty, Tampax, and recently, Nike women’s athletic wear.
Mulvaney told O’Donnell about trying “to be the most uncontroversial person this past year” despite advertising for products specifically made for women, such as bras and tampons.
The social media star didn’t mention the controversies directly, but O’Donnell did. “Beer companies have been supportive of the LGBTQIA community for decades. This is not the first time. Who do you think sponsors pride? Gay people, trans people, we drink beer, too, man. Put down your gun, Kid Rock, it’s in bad taste,” she said, referencing a video the rock star made of himself shooting at cases of Bud Light.
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“It’s just a heavy time. And it’s time to step up, for sure,” Mulvaney said, insisting that critics are of no concern.
This was the first time Mulvaney addressed the controversy so directly. Last week, the influencer posted a video of the song “No One is Alone” from “Into the Woods.”
“It’s hard to see the light now, just don’t let it go. This song felt fitting for the week I’ve been having,” Mulvaney wrote in the caption. “Thank you all for making me feel supported, i am not alone️️ #trans.”