Yes, Hunter Schafer is a transgender woman. She has confirmed this publicly multiple times throughout her career, most recently in an October 2026 interview with Elle magazine where she stated plainly, “I’m a woman. I’m a girl”. Schafer began her transition at age 14 and has since become one of the most visible transgender actresses in Hollywood.
Schafer first rose to prominence for her role as Jules Vaughn on the HBO series Euphoria, which premiered in 2019. Her character is also transgender, though Schafer noted in a 2020 interview with the Television Academy that Jules never explicitly states her identity on screen. She explained that this approach felt more realistic because being trans “is a part of their life” but “isn’t everything”. The role earned her widespread recognition and established her as a prominent figure in contemporary television.
In the Elle interview published on October 19, 2026, Schafer disclosed that she underwent gender-affirming bottom surgery in December 2025. She described the procedure as “amazing” and said, “I love it so much”. Schafer explained that for years she had embraced a “gender-expansive” part of herself and tried to make her previous body work, but ultimately found that her theoretical ideas about queerness did not align with how she wanted to live day to day. She also shared details about her recovery, noting that she was limited to approximately 150 steps per day while resting in a rented apartment.Quick Bio: Hunter Schafer
Notes on verification: Age, birthplace, and height are sourced from Library of Congress records and published reports. Net worth figures are estimates from celebrity tracking sites and should be treated as unconfirmed. Education details reflect her acceptance to Central Saint Martins and attendance at UNC School of the Arts; she did not complete a degree before pursuing acting. Social media handle is her widely known public Instagram account.
Schafer’s public stance on her identity has evolved over time. In a 2024 interview with GQ, she expressed frustration about being reduced to her transgender status, saying she found it “ultimately demeaning” to be labeled primarily as a trans actress. She revealed that she had turned down “tons of trans roles” because she did not want her gender identity to be the centerpiece of her career. At that time, she stated, “I just want to be a girl and finally move on”. Her 2026 comments reflect a shift toward a more definitive and settled sense of self.
Beyond Euphoria, Schafer has built a diverse filmography. She appeared as Tigris Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes in 2023 and starred in the horror film Cuckoo in 2024. She also had roles in Kinds of Kindness and provided voice work for the English dub of the Japanese film Belle. In the Elle interview, Schafer mentioned that she would like to star in a romantic comedy centered on a transgender woman, saying she had been thinking about the idea for some time.
FAQs About Hunter Schafer
Is Hunter Schafer transgender?
Yes. Hunter Schafer is a transgender woman who began her transition at age 14. She confirmed her identity definitively in an October 2026 Elle interview, stating, “I’m a woman. I’m a girl”. She has been publicly open about being trans throughout her career, including during her time on HBO’s Euphoria.
What did Hunter Schafer reveal about surgery in 2026?
In the Elle interview published October 19, 2026, Schafer disclosed that she underwent gender-affirming bottom surgery in December 2025. She described the experience as “amazing” and said, “I love it so much”. She explained that while she had long embraced a gender-expansive view of herself, she ultimately found that medical transition was the right decision for her personally.
What is Hunter Schafer best known for?
Schafer’s breakthrough role was Jules Vaughn on HBO’s Euphoria, which premiered in 2019 and earned her widespread recognition. She has since appeared in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), the horror film Cuckoo (2024), and is set to star opposite Michelle Yeoh in Blade Runner 2099. Before acting, she worked as a fashion model for brands including Dior and Prada.
Has Hunter Schafer spoken about being a trans spokesperson?
Yes, but with nuance. In a 2024 GQ interview, Schafer said she felt a sense of responsibility as one of the most visible trans people in media, but believed that not making her identity the centerpiece of her career would ultimately be more helpful. She told GQ, “I just want to be a girl and finally move on”. Her 2026 Elle comments reflect a more settled public stance on her identity.
