| Full Name | Hunter Schafer |
| Birthday | December 31, 1998 |
| Birth Place | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States |
| Age | 24 years old |
| Height | 5‘ 10” |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
Hunter Schafer is a multi-talented actress, model, and activist who is trailblazing for transgender visibility and equality in Hollywood. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, the 24-year-old has quickly risen to fame with her groundbreaking roles, high fashion modeling, and outspoken advocacy.
Early Life and Transgender Journey
Growing up in the conservative southern town of Raleigh, Hunter Schafer always felt different. From a young age, she gravitated towards feminine clothing and activities that were at odds with her assigned male gender. During her teen years, Schafer realized she identified as transgender and came out to her friends and family.
At just 17, Schafer fully transitioned and changed her name and pronouns. Though she found support from her parents, Schafer faced intense bullying at school. She recalls being mocked by students, cornered in bathrooms, and feeling unwelcome.
Rather than backing down, Schafer decided to fight back. At 15, she bravely became one of the plaintiffs in a landmark case against her school district over transgender students‘ rights. Schafer sued for access to bathrooms matching her gender identity. Despite facing local backlash, she persevered and won expanded transgender protections, cementing her status as a youth activist.
Taking the Fashion World by Storm
With her tall, striking frame and ethereal looks, modeling scouts soon came calling for the gender nonconforming teen. Schafer signed with the prestigious IMG Models agency in 2015 at just 16 years old. She made her Paris Fashion Week debut in 2017 walking for Maison Margiela.
Since then, Schafer has modeled for Prada, Helmut Lang, Calvin Klein, and Miu Miu. She became one of the first openly transgender models featured in Teen Vogue and Italian Vogue. The shy small-town girl was suddenly walking runways all over the world.
Behind the scenes, Hunter has faced discrimination within the still trans-exclusionary modeling industry. She’s spoken about confronting judgmental attitudes and pushback over her transgender identity. Despite obstacles, Schafer persists in hopes of transforming attitudes about what transgender beauty looks like.
Breakout Role on Euphoria
Hunter Schafer’s big acting break came in 2019 when she landed the career-defining role of Jules Vaughn on HBO’s hit drama Euphoria. The character, a 17-year-old transgender girl, marked the first leading trans teen character played by an actual trans performer on television.
Schafer could deeply relate to Jules’ struggles with identity, relationships, and being true to herself. She brought dimension, authenticity and vulnerability to the character that resonated with critics and audiences alike.
In one powerful scene, Schafer’s raw performance depicting Jules’ breakdown about her challenges transitioning brought me to tears. The role shows young transgender viewers they are not alone, giving them hope.
For her revelatory Euphoria performance, Schafer received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at just 20 years old, becoming the category’s youngest nominee ever.
Using Her Voice for Advocacy
Even with a hit HBO show cementing her star status, Hunter Schafer remains dedicated to activism. She partnered with GLAAD to bring attention to anti-transgender bills being considered in state legislatures across America. Schafer also uses her platform to uplift Black trans voices and experiences.
During Pride Month 2021, I was inspired to see Schafer speak at a Trans March in Los Angeles about the urgent need for change. She fearlessly called out cultural transphobia and violence faced by the LGBTQ community. Schafer is leveraging her fame to fuel real cultural progress, not just her own success.
The Future is Bright
At just 24, Hunter Schafer is still at the dawn of her career, but her impact is undeniable. She represents a new generation of talents pushing Hollywood towards greater diversity and acceptance. I can‘t wait to see what she accomplishes next with Euphoria‘s third season on the horizon.
No matter what, I know Schafer will continue to break barriers and uplift marginalized voices. She once said, “Existing as yourself publicly is radical and revolutionary.” By living authentically despite obstacles, Hunter Schafer is revolutionizing what it means to be young, transgender, and creative in the limelight. She is a true inspiration.