NPR's Book of the Day
'Paper Doll' documents trans TikTok creator Dylan Mulvaney's journey through girlhood
Apr 23, 2025
Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender content creator and author of 'Paper Doll,' shares her journey through girlhood as documented on TikTok. She reflects on the unexpected joy and community found in her videos, alongside the challenges of public scrutiny, particularly after a controversial Bud Light partnership. Mulvaney discusses personal boundaries, mental health, and the intersection of identity and faith, advocating for more genuine representation of trans experiences in media.
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Quick takeaways
- Dylan Mulvaney's TikTok journey showcases her transition through humor, emphasizing the experience of 'trans joy' amidst societal backlash.
- Reflecting on her controversial partnership with Bud Light, Mulvaney highlights the importance of personal boundaries for mental well-being in the public eye.
Deep dives
The Journey of Self-Acceptance
Dylan Mulvaney shares her path to self-acceptance and the challenges she faced as a transgender woman. After years of grappling with her identity, she found humor as a coping mechanism, posting relatable, lighthearted content on TikTok that showcased her transition. This approach allowed her to not only document her journey but also to share 'trans joy' amidst the backlash she received, particularly during her sponsored collaboration with Bud Light. By creating space for humor, she aimed to present a more nuanced version of her identity, moving beyond the simplistic narratives often associated with transgender individuals.
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