- She’s a standout star in “Euphoria” and “The Hunger Games,” capturing hearts as a household name.
- As a transgender actress, her journey is groundbreaking, redefining Hollywood’s beauty standards.
- Her allure is so striking that men openly confess their love, admiring her perfection.
Hunter Schafer at the MTV Movie and TV Awards on June 15, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
She is known for her role as Jules Vaughn in the award-winning series, “Euphoria.” She has also graced the silver screen in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.” At 25, her Hollywood journey is as compelling as her personal story.
Hunter Schafer attends the “Die Tribute von Panem – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” European premiere on November 5, 2023 in Berlin, Germany | Source: Getty Images
This star is a transgender woman who has undergone an incredible transformation journey. Her talents extend beyond acting, with a successful modeling career. This includes work with top fashion houses and features on major magazine covers.
Hunter Schafer attends the25th Costume Designers Guild Awards on February 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Her recent GQ cover sparked an outpouring of affection from male fans. Amid this wave of admiration and public recognition, she has captivated her audience and advanced her life and career.
Hunter Schafer on September 13, 2021 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Early Career and Breakout Roles (2021-2024)
Recent Achievements (2023-2024)
Hunter Schafer is a multi-talented artist who has made significant personal and professional steps. A few months ago, she marked a milestone in her personal life: she purchased her first home in Los Angeles.
Hunter Schafer during the Haute Couture Spring/ Summer 2024 on January 22, 2024 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
Professionally, she wears many hats. She is an activist, artist, model, producer, and writer. With her many talents, she continues to impress, showing her versatility and dedication to various forms of expression.
Hunter Schafer attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
This year has been bustling with activity for Schafer. She completed a cameo in the upcoming film “Kinds of Kindness,” starring opposite Emma Stone.
She also wrapped up production on “Mother Mary,” where she will appear alongside Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. Schafer has showcased her ability to hold her own among seasoned actresses through her work.
Hunter Schafer attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
First Lead Role and International Experience (2021-2022)
Two years before she started starring alongside top shots, she took a big step forward in her acting career. She filmed “Cuckoo” in Germany, her first lead role. This was also her first time working without “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson.
Hunter Schafer, from a post dated March 29, 2022 | Source: Instagram/hunterschafer
This project coincided with her breakup and reconciliation with Dominic Fike, a singer and fellow actor. The two had met while Schafer was filming the second season of “Euphoria.”
Hunter Schafer and Dominic Fike from a post dated March 29, 2022 | Source: Instagram/hunterschafer
Their relationship was a significant milestone as Fike was the first man she dated. “I got to exorcise a lot of the breakup feelings that I was going through,” she said of her time in Germany.
In her Los Angeles apartment, Schafer’s dedicated studio showcases her artistic side. It has mood boards, including a few for her look at different events. Her unique blend of personal achievements and professional milestones highlights her dynamic and impactful career.
Hunter Schafer, Sam Levinson, Angus Cloud and Zendaya attend the photo call of “Euphoria” on January 5, 2022 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Foundational Years in Hollywood (2020-2018)
Personal Challenges and Artistic Therapy (2020)
Prior to her international experience with “Cuckoo,” she faced some personal challenges. During the early months of the pandemic in 2020, Schafer faced some challenges. She shared on Jimmy Fallon’s show how she considered checking into a mental health facility. Instead of taking that path, she channeled her emotions into art, co-writing an episode of “Euphoria.”
This process was therapeutic for her, blending her roles as actor, producer, and writer. She described the intense experience of shooting, “I would be crying on set for eight hours and then be able to objectively look at the dailies, like, ‘Yeah, this is the right shot.'”
Hunter Schafer attends Entertainment Weekly Pre-SAG Celebration on January 18, 2020 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
In an interview, Schafer reflected on the changes amidst her rising fame. She identified as an introvert who was at ease in social settings before the pandemic. But, the quarantine period forced her to reevaluate and reconnect with her love for solitude.
Early Life and Inspirations (2019)
The therapeutic journey through her foundational years in Hollywood allowed Schafer to reflect on her past. She still looks back on her early life and the inspirations that shaped her reserved yet creatively rich high school years.
Born in New Jersey, Schafer and her family moved a lot before settling in Raleigh, North Carolina. Unlike her “Euphoria” character Jules, Schafer was more reserved during high school. The young Schafer was focused on her passion for drawing and fashion design.
Hunter Schafer attends the Givenchy Womenswear Spring/Summer 2020 show on September 29, 2019 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
“I was not as cool, but I snuck out one time to go to a college party,” she recalled. Her artistic talents were nurtured during these years in school. It was also the start of her significant presence on social media and contributions to the website Rookie.
Hunter Schafer attends 5th Annual “InStyle Awards” on October 21, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Unexpected Entry into Acting (2018)
Schafer’s passion for art and fashion design during her formative years unexpectedly paved the way for her entry into acting, a twist of fate that would lead her to the groundbreaking role in “Euphoria.”
Schafer’s journey into acting was not planned. Initially aspiring to attend Central Saint Martins for fashion design, her career took a turn when HBO began casting for “Euphoria.” The network’s unconventional approach included scouting for talent via Instagram and street searches.
Schafer, recommended by her agency to audition, eventually won the role in what casting directors described as a “beautiful way.” After securing the role, she collaborated closely with the show’s creator, Sam Levinson.
She spent extensive time with Levinson, sharing her life experiences to shape the character of Jules. This collaboration revealed her acting talent. It also showcased how her personal history could enrich her portrayal, making her a standout on the show.
Transition and Early Public Life (2017-2016)
Activism and Breakthrough in Modeling (2017)
The collaboration with Sam Levinson for “Euphoria” not only revealed Schafer’s acting talent but also highlighted her commitment to authenticity. This trait was evident in her early public life as she became a vocal activist and model.
At 18, Schafer was a standout. She walked runways for top fashion designers and spoke out as a trans activist. Her fight against North Carolina’s House Bill 2 made her a key figure in the LGBTQ community. She opposed the law that restricted bathroom access based on birth sex, not gender identity.
Early Legal Activism and Career Pivot (2016)
Schafer’s activism and breakthrough in modeling during her early public life were deeply rooted in her personal background and early influences, where signs of her gender identity began to manifest in childhood.
At 17, Schafer became the youngest plaintiff against North Carolina’s House Bill 2. She wanted to show lawmakers the faces affected by the law. Around this time, she was also rising in the New York modeling scene.
Plans changed when her agency suggested she audition for the hit show “Euphoria.” Though initially uninterested in acting, she grew to love her character as she learned more about the role.
Hunter Schafer, from a video dated May 14, 2016 | Source: YouTube/@CBS17
Personal Background and Early Influences (Teenage years – Childhood)
Childhood Experiences and Early Signs of Gender Identity
The support and acceptance Schafer received during her journey of self-awareness and transition laid the foundation for her rise as a star, earning adoration from fans and recognition as a creative force.
From a very young age, Schafer displayed a clear preference for femininity. As early as she was two, she chose female superheroes over male ones. This and many more signs signaled her affinity for feminine expression.
Hunter Schafer, from a video dated May 14, 2016 | Source: YouTube/@CBS17
These preferences led her parents to consult a preschool teacher about whether such behavior was typical. In her early years, she battled an internal certainty about her identity. According to her parents, she articulated it even before fully understanding it.
Hunter Schafer, from a video dated May 14, 2016 | Source: YouTube/@CBS17
Struggle with Gender Identity and Family Dynamics
Schafer’s journey into self-awareness became more pronounced as she grew older. She first came out as gay in seventh grade. Her revelation helped her family start to understand her perspective on her identity. However, their initial understanding was focused more on sexual orientation than gender identity.
Hunter Schafer, from a video dated May 14, 2016 | Source: YouTube/@CBS17
Hunter Schafer, from a video dated May 14, 2016 | Source: YouTube/@CBS17
Her parents grappled with the complexities of gender identity versus sexual orientation. They were baffled at her discomfort shopping for typical male clothes, which hinted at deeper issues of gender dysphoria.
Hunter Schafer, from a video dated May 14, 2016 | Source: YouTube/@CBS17
Realization and Transition
By eighth grade, Schafer faced increasing anxiety as she noticed the onset of male puberty. Facial hair, especially, deeply troubled her. She described feeling a profound sense of “dread and wrongness,” a classic manifestation of gender dysphoria. These feelings intensified her resolve to address her true identity.
Hunter Schafer at 13, from a post dated November 21, 2023 | Source: Instagram/hunterschafer
Hunter Schafer, from a post dated November 21, 2023 | Source: Instagram/hunterschafer
Parental Acceptance and Support
The journey to full acceptance was gradual for her parents. Schafer’s father, a pastor, initially struggled more with her transition than with her coming out as gay. However, a pivotal moment came during a fashion design camp when Schafer asked if she could wear heels for a fashion show.