"Dylan makes me laugh and makes me brave. I love Paper Doll, and I love this woman.” —Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Untamed
Actress and content creator Dylan Mulvaney’s honest account of her journey through girlhood
When Dylan Mulvaney came out as a woman online, she was a viral sensation almost overnight, emerging as a trailblazing voice on social media. Dylan’s personal coming-out story blossomed into a platform for advocacy and empowerment for trans people all over the world.
Through her “Days of Girlhood” series, she connected with followers by exploring what it means to be a girl, from experimenting with makeup to story times to spilling the tea about laser hair removal, while never shying away from discussing the transphobia she faced online. Nevertheless, she was determined to be a beacon of positivity.
But shortly after she celebrated day 365 of being a girl, it all came screeching to a halt when an innocuous post sparked a media firestorm and right-wing backlash she couldn’t have expected. Despite the vitriolic press and relentless paparazzi, Dylan was determined to remain loud and proud.
In Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer, Dylan pulls back the curtain of her “It Girl” lifestyle with a witty and intimate reflection of her life pre- and post-transition. She covers everything from her first big break in theater to the first time her dad recognized her as a girl to how she handled scandals, cancellations, and . . . tucking. It’s both laugh-out-loud funny and powerfully honest—and is a love letter to everyone who stands up for queer joy.
Praise
“Paper Doll is a love letter to musical theater, faith, and femininity and I believe should be required reading for anyone looking to expand their relationship to the LGBTQ+ community. Dylan finding her spotlight in the darkest of times is a testament that when you commit to finding your light, it is never too late to bloom.”
—Kristin Chenoweth
“Paper Doll is a joyful, candid, and powerful piece by the voice of a generation. Dylan’s voice is singular and shines bright in her literary debut.”
—Jonathan Van Ness
“Dylan Mulvaney is a total icon, and Paper Doll is pure magic! Prepare to laugh, cry, and fall even more in love with Dylan’s journey through girlhood. I am so proud of her for embracing her truest self, and she is such a huge inspiration to me and millions of others!”
—Paris Hilton
“Paper Doll is a heartfelt and delightful medley of candor and comedy from one of the most consequential trans voices of our times.”
—Alok Vaid-Menon
“Our singular job is to become who we were meant to be before the world told us who to be. On that journey, Dylan Mulvaney is a wayfinder. She did her one job—and Paper Doll’s humor, wisdom, and endless charm gently help us follow her lead. Dylan makes me laugh and makes me brave. I love Paper Doll, and I love this woman.”
—Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Untamed
“In Paper Doll, Dylan shares the most candid parts of herself you cannot—and will not—see on TikTok. Whatever you think you know about Dylan Mulvaney, you don’t know this part of her! I tore through this book in two days straight (the only thing straight about it!). Paper Doll is the best kind of memoir: witty, poignant, where you feel so close to the author, as if they wrote it for you and only you.”
—James Rose, infamous Dylan Mulvaney doppelgänger (future author of sorry i keep crying during sex)
“Raw, brutally honest, and heartwarming, Paper Doll is a testament to the power of sharing trans stories. Dylan’s vulnerability shines through the pages as she details her relationship with her parents, followers, haters, community, and most importantly, herself. Paper Doll provides a modern lens to womanhood in the twenty-first century, making it a must-read for anyone with a pulse.”
—Zachary Zane, author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto
“I was first awed by Dylan as I was scrolling through social media. Their vibrant, energetic personality had me hooked. Upon visiting their page, I was enthralled by their witty way of fighting transphobia. Dylan was bold, funny, and transparent, unafraid to take on the masses that were on attack. What I admired most of all was their ability to respond to transphobia with kindness and education, always remaining their true authentic self. Their confidence in their truth was empowering and refreshing to see in another trans artist. As I got the opportunity to work beside them, I was beyond impressed at their professionalism and fun way of being brave and in charge while welcoming and understanding. Dylan is indeed a voice to be heard, a person to be seen, a true gem to our humanity, and a powerhouse who will aid in creating a more inclusive society.”
—Dominique Jackson
