Dylan Mulvaney Wears ‘Protect the Dolls’ Shirt in Opening Number of Tony Awards 2026

Lexi LaneMon, June 8, 2026 at 12:56 AM UTC

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Dylan Mulvaney during the 2026 Tony AwardsCredit: Theo Wargo/Getty -

Dylan Mulvaney joined Pink's Tony Awards opening number alongside stars like Megan Thee Stallion and Lea Michele

Mulvaney wore a "protect the dolls" shirt, advocating for the safety and love for the transgender community

She recently starred in Six on Broadway, marking a milestone for trans representation in theater

Dylan Mulvaney joined Pink's star-studded opening number at the 2026 Tony Awards, wearing a "protect the dolls" white T-shirt.

As Pink spotlighted leading ladies and the productions from the current Broadway season by putting a spin on "Lady Marmalade," Mulvaney, 29, appeared alongside everyone from Megan Thee Stallion to Lea Michele.

Her shirt — which has become a common phrase —emphasizes keeping the transgender community safe and loved.

Mulvaney made her Broadway debut in Six in February and played Anne Boleyn until leaving the show on May 31. During her appearance on the Tony Awards red carpet, she wore a red gown from Christian Siriano.

Dylan Mulvaney with Megan Thee Stallion and Pink at the 2026 Tony AwardsCredit: Theo Wargo/Getty

During her time in the musical, the actress got candid on social media about "what it's like to be put into a long-running Broadway musical as a trans person."

"I've now been in Six the musical for over two months, and I'm having the time of my damn life, and I'm filming this today from a place of abundance and not scarcity, because some days I do not feel so great about myself, but I've had some really good shows lately," she previously said in a TikTok on April 23 where she filmed herself getting ready.

Mulvaney added that getting to be in Six is "extremely uncharted territory, because there haven't been a ton of trans folks replacing in musicals on Broadway, which is lame because it should be happening all the time."

Dylan Mulvaney in 'Six'Credit: Shawn Salley/Shutterstock

However, Mulvaney believes the "industry is realizing when you do make an effort to include someone with a different life experience, it can give a character such a fresh and nuanced perspective."

"So many people have to say yes for you to get here, and if you don't book a show, don't think it's because it was a room full of nos, it could have been a room full of yeses, and just one no, but the producers of Six took a really big leap of faith with me," she said.

Mulvaney previously was part of the touring ensemble for The Book of Mormon in 2019, and led an off-Broadway one-woman show called The Least Problematic Woman in the World before she landed Six.

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"The notes are very high in Six, if you're familiar, and I sing the majority in the original keys, except for my solo number, 'Don't Lose Your Head,' which we've taken down half a step, which is quite subtle if you haven't heard it like a million times," she shared.

"I take one for the team and sing that little piece in the original key, and it's going okay," she added. "When I started in February, I was seeing comments from our first night about how people were saying very unkind things about my singing, and it took me a long time to realize those people weren't actually seeing me in the show."

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Pink also gave a shoutout to the transgender community during her opening speech, noting that during a year where "trans siblings started to lose even more rights," it was all the more special to have CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway — which spotlights trans and non-binary performers.

"There are so many trans people who are more talented than I, some of whom are performing on Broadway right now," Mulvaney said about the CATS musical.

"Since doing Six, I will say this to any trans or non-binary person watching: we are not the problem. We are the solution," she continued. "What we have to offer is so rich in experience and joy that a note that we can't hit, or a costume that might need some alterations, will be the tiniest casualty of what will be an epic show for all involved."

Mulvaney added, "I think the coolest part is that I don't say the word trans one time in this show, and when I'm out there, it's not about my identity and there are little girls watching that just think that the only thing different about me is that I'm a little taller than the rest of my cast and that I've got pretty blonde hair."

"Then, when I go out to the stage door, and I get to meet trans people who like to do this too one day, and knowing that while there is such a long way to go, that I have made a little step forward for myself and for the dolls, that is good enough for me."

The 2026 Tony Awards air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”