Hunter Schafer

Transgender woman who has worked as a model, actress, artist and activist for LGBT rights. She made her acting debut in the HBO series Euphoria in the role of Jules in 2019.

Early life.

Schafer was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to parents Katy and Mac Schafer. Her father is a Presbyterian minister, and their family moved between churches and congregations in New Jersey, Arizona, and finally Raleigh, North Carolina. She has three younger siblings: two sisters and a brother.

While in high school, Schafer protested against the North Carolina Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. On April 21, 2016, while she was a high school junior, Schafer was added as a plaintiff in the Carcaño v. McCrory lawsuit against the bill. In her senior year, Schafer was a semifinalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. She graduated from the High School Visual Arts program at the North Carolina School of the Arts in 2017, having transferred there from Needham B. Broughton High School.

Schafer planned to attend Central Saint Martins, an arts college in London, England, but deferred her enrollment after high school to focus on her career.

Career.

For her activism regarding HB2, Teen Vogue listed Schafer on its "21 Under 21" list in 2017, and granted her an interview with former United States Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Schafer has modelled for Prada, Dior, Miu Miu, Calvin Klein, Rick Owens, Helmut Lang, Tommy Hilfiger, Thierry Mugler, Coach, Maison Margiela, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, Versus Versace, Emilio Pucci, Ann Demeulemeester, and Erdem, among other fashion houses.

In 2019, Schafer was cast in the HBO series Euphoria, marking her acting debut. She received praise for her performance in the series, and the Primetime Emmy Awards came under fire for omitting her from the nominations along with other transgender actors. Aside from her leading role in the series, she also co-wrote an episode with the show's creator Sam Levinson. Additionally, she collaborated with him so that his character and the show's story reflected her experience.

In June 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride parade, Queerty named her among the fifty heroes "leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people". In 2021, Time named her to its Next list of "100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future", with a tribute written by costar Zendaya.

Personal life.

Schafer is a trans woman. In an interview, she said that the internet helped her cope with her gender identity, turning to YouTube and social media to learn about people's transition timelines. She transitioned after being diagnosed with dysphoria in ninth grade. She has stated, "I do like people to know that I'm not a cis girl because that's not something that I am or feel like I am. I'm proud to be a trans person." In 2019, Schafer said that she was "closer to what you might call a lesbian." In December 2021, she stated on Twitter that her sexuality is "bi or pan or something".

Early life.

Schafer was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to parents Katy and Mac Schafer. Her father is a Presbyterian minister, and their family moved between churches and congregations in New Jersey, Arizona, and finally Raleigh, North Carolina. She has three younger siblings: two sisters and a brother.

While in high school, Schafer protested against the North Carolina Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. On April 21, 2016, while she was a high school junior, Schafer was added as a plaintiff in the Carcaño v. McCrory lawsuit against the bill. In her senior year, Schafer was a semifinalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. She graduated from the High School Visual Arts program at the North Carolina School of the Arts in 2017, having transferred there from Needham B. Broughton High School.

Schafer planned to attend Central Saint Martins, an arts college in London, England, but deferred her enrollment after high school to focus on her career.

Career.

For her activism regarding HB2, Teen Vogue listed Schafer on its "21 Under 21" list in 2017, and granted her an interview with former United States Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Schafer has modelled for Prada, Dior, Miu Miu, Calvin Klein, Rick Owens, Helmut Lang, Tommy Hilfiger, Thierry Mugler, Coach, Maison Margiela, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, Versus Versace, Emilio Pucci, Ann Demeulemeester, and Erdem, among other fashion houses.

In 2019, Schafer was cast in the HBO series Euphoria, marking her acting debut. She received praise for her performance in the series, and the Primetime Emmy Awards came under fire for omitting her from the nominations along with other transgender actors. Aside from her leading role in the series, she also co-wrote an episode with the show's creator Sam Levinson. Additionally, she collaborated with him so that his character and the show's story reflected her experience.

In June 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride parade, Queerty named her among the fifty heroes "leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people". In 2021, Time named her to its Next list of "100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future", with a tribute written by costar Zendaya.

Personal life.

Schafer is a trans woman. In an interview, she said that the internet helped her cope with her gender identity, turning to YouTube and social media to learn about people's transition timelines. She transitioned after being diagnosed with dysphoria in ninth grade. She has stated, "I do like people to know that I'm not a cis girl because that's not something that I am or feel like I am. I'm proud to be a trans person." In 2019, Schafer said that she was "closer to what you might call a lesbian." In December 2021, she stated on Twitter that her sexuality is "bi or pan or something".