Transgender influencer and Broadway actor Dylan Mulvaney has addressed the backlash she received for partnering with Bud Light in a March Madness contest, which led to calls for a boycott of the brand.
Mulvaney took to TikTok to speak out, emphasizing the importance of holding onto love and faith even in the face of cruelty and dehumanization from others.
Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Bud Light, has reportedly suffered a financial hit following the Mulvaney endorsement, with bars, stores, and distributors reporting significant declines in sales.
High-profile conservatives, such as Kid Rock and Travis Tritt, have expressed their disapproval and called for boycotts of the beer.
Mulvaney has previously spoken out about her experience with online hate and the impact it has had on her as a sensitive person.
After facing backlash for her partnership with Bud Light, transgender influencer and Broadway actor Dylan Mulvaney has spoken out.
In a video posted on TikTok, Mulvaney shared her perspective on the controversy surrounding her involvement in a Bud Light March Madness contest, which drew criticism from conservatives and led to calls for a boycott of the brand.
Mulvaney’s Response to Critics
Mulvaney initially took a back seat to the uproar, but decided to address her nearly 13 million followers in the video.
She emphasized that she has struggled with the need some people have to dehumanize and be cruel to others, and she highlighted the importance of holding onto her faith and love for everyone, even those who make it difficult.
The influencer admitted she was nervous that her followers might believe the negative things being said about her but chose to trust that those who know her heart would not listen to the noise.
Mulvaney expressed her desire to continue making people laugh and to share parts of her life unrelated to her identity.
Anheuser-Busch’s Financial Impact and CEO’s Statement
Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Bud Light, has reportedly suffered a financial hit following the Mulvaney endorsement.
Bars, stores, and distributors across the U.S. have reported significant declines in Bud Light sales.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth addressed the issue in a statement, explaining that the company never intended to be part of a divisive discussion.
Instead, he emphasized the brand’s commitment to bringing people together over a beer.
The company also launched an ad campaign featuring its iconic Clydesdales and imagery of American landmarks, with a patriotic message highlighting the American spirit.
The influencer admitted she was nervous that her followers might believe the negative things being said about her but chose to trust that those who know her heart would not listen to the noise.
Backlash from High-Profile Conservatives
The controversy drew responses from high-profile conservatives, such as Kid Rock, who posted a video of himself shooting cases of Bud Light and yelling profanities.
Country singer Travis Tritt also expressed his disapproval by removing Anheuser-Busch products from his tour hospitality rider, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced he would be boycotting the beer.
Mulvaney’s Previous Experience with Online Hate
Mulvaney, who gained millions of followers while documenting her transition journey on social media, has previously spoken out against online haters in an interview with Jill Martin in 2021.
She mentioned her struggles with people who believe she shouldn’t be doing what she does and the impact of online hate on her as a sensitive person.
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