TikTok Influencer Dylan Mulvaney discussed difficulties identifying as a transgender woman on The Drew Barrymore Show.
Mulvaney teased their appearance in a Monday TikTok post.
Barrymore greeted Mulvaney by saying she was honored and thrilled to meet the TikTok influencer.
“It’s very personal for me in a world where we’re all trying to figure out who we’re supposed to be,” Barrymore said before she was cut off by Mulvaney, who said, “I had no idea how vulnerable I was even willing to get.”
“Honestly, that day one video that I made, it was kind of supposed to be a comedy video because I think coming out can be so intense,” Mulvaney continued. “I kind of wanted to add some humor. I think that we can all learn through comedy.”
The TikTok influencer noted there was a lot to figure out in “womanhood” and there were “vulnerable things” Mulvaney was unaware of.
Barrymore asked Mulvaney about meeting fellow transgender identifying woman Laverne Cox who reportedly told the TikTok influencer to “keep some things private.”
“I couldn’t agree more in the way that there were a few moments this year where I was like, Was I actually ready to say that?” Mulvaney said of the interaction with Cox.
“But now, since meeting [Cox] and having that moment, I go, ‘Okay, what would Laverne do?'” Mulvaney continued.
“I’m still figuring it out, but I think back to like my childhood self and I think about if I was following myself on TikTok as a young kid, what would I want to hear?” Mulvaney said, noting a large portion of their audience is a younger demographic. “I … would love to show transness in a way that we haven’t seen it before because I figured when I came out I might have to go into hiding and do all my surgeries privately and change my name.”
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“I instead decided, ‘Hey, let me decide if the world is willing to accept me this way from day one,’ and they did,” the TikTok influencer said as Barrymore listed notable supporters of Mulvaney, including pop star Lady Gaga. “Getting to meet my role models, even you today … it’s the best part.”
Barrymore asked how Mulvaney deals with negativity, to which the TikTok influencer said, “There is so much hatred directed to the trans community right now. It’s everywhere.”
“I think the greatest weapon I can contribute is trans joy … comedy … talking about hard subjects … really intricate moments of a transition … try to let everybody in to see that … I’m not a monster,” Mulvaney said. “I’m not somebody who’s trying to do anything but be myself and be happy.”
The audience responded to Mulvaney’s comments with applause as Barrymore emotionally thanked the audience for their “support.” She then asked Mulveney how the TikTok influencer finds their “strength” to continue pushing forward.
“Having my chosen family, and people that I love to take care of me,” the Tik Tok influencer said. “But, I also think there’s something just about … making sure you don’t put something out there before you’re ready, and really just surrounding yourself with good people.”
Barrymore reached out and took Mulvaney’s hand as the TikTok influencer continued saying they “couldn’t imagine anyone disliking [Drew Barrymore].”
The talk show host got to her knees in front of Mulvaney and said she disliked herself many times. Mulvaney agreed, met Barrymore on her knees and the two embraced in a hug. Mulvaney and Barrymore proceeded to sit on the floor of the set as the TikTok influencer asked Barrymore how she deals with criticism.
“I think there’s also a way to be taught and educated to open minds,” Barrymore said, suggesting Mulvany has a “gift.”
The TikTok influencer continued advertising their 365 “days of girlhood” celebration tonight at the Rainbow Room at the Rockefeller Center in New York City.
“You know yourself better than anyone does,” Mulvaney concluded. “Please hold onto your favorite parts of yourself.”
