Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer is an American actress, model, visual artist, and transgender rights activist. She is widely recognized for her role as Jules Vaughn in the HBO series Euphoria, a performance that garnered critical acclaim and established her as a prominent figure in contemporary television. Schafer has since expanded her acting career, appearing in major franchises such as The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and critically noted films like Yorgos Lanthimos's Kinds of Kindness (2024) and the horror film Cuckoo (2024). Her work to date encompasses 26 credits, including 15 films and 11 television appearances.

Beyond her acting, Schafer is a celebrated visual artist and a vocal advocate for transgender rights. Her distinctive presence has made her a sought-after guest on major talk shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and she has also served as a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race. Schafer is admired for her ability to blend advocacy with artistic expression, resonating with audiences through her authenticity and multifaceted talent.[edit]

Hunter James Schafer was born on December 31, 1998, in Trenton, New Jersey, to Katy and Mac Schafer. Her father, a Presbyterian minister, led the family through moves across various churches in New Jersey and Arizona before they ultimately settled in Raleigh, North Carolina. The oldest of four siblings, she has two younger sisters and a younger brother. Schafer was assigned male at birth, but began expressing femininity as a toddler, around the age of two. By eighth grade, she experienced gender dysphoria, leading her to come out as a transgender girl in ninth grade with the full support of her family. She has, at times, questioned a non-binary identity, and found the internet, particularly YouTube and social media, to be an invaluable resource in navigating her identity.

She attended Needham B. Broughton High School before transferring to the High School Visual Arts program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), where she graduated in 2017. During her senior year, her academic excellence was recognized when she was named a semifinalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, an honor bestowed upon only 722 students nationwide. Beyond academics, Schafer cultivated strong artistic skills, including watercolor painting, drawing, and a passion for comic books, with Skottie Young's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz being an early favorite. She also formally studied clothing design at UNCSA. In a unique aspect of her early life, she learned some American Sign Language by sitting with deaf students during lunch in middle school.

In 2016, while still a high school junior, Schafer rose to national attention as a vocal advocate for transgender rights. She became a plaintiff in the Carcaño v. McCrory lawsuit, challenging North Carolina's controversial HB2, commonly known as the "bathroom bill." Further amplifying her activism, she published an essay in Teen Vogue that criticized the law and detailed her personal experiences as a transgender woman. Her efforts garnered significant recognition; in 2017, Teen Vogue included her on its "21 Under 21" list, and Queerty named her among fifty heroes leading the nation toward equality. After graduating high school in 2017, Schafer moved to New York City to pursue a career in modeling. She made her debut at New York Fashion Week and quickly secured representation with top fashion houses. Though accepted to study fashion design at Central Saint Martins in London, she deferred her enrollment to focus on her burgeoning entertainment career. [edit]

Hunter Schafer's acting career began with a bang in 2019 when she was cast as Jules Vaughn in HBO's Euphoria. The role, her first acting credit, earned widespread critical acclaim and made her a household name. Beyond acting, she co-wrote an episode with creator Sam Levinson and served as a co-executive producer, a rare level of creative involvement for a newcomer. For her performance, she won a Shorty Award, an MTV Movie and TV Award, and a Dorian Award. She has also directed music videos and done voice acting, including the English dub of the anime Belle (2021).

Alongside acting, Schafer built a parallel career in high-fashion modeling. She has worked with major houses including Prada, Dior, Gucci, Calvin Klein, and Marc Jacobs. In 2022, she became a global brand ambassador for Shiseido Makeup, and in 2023 she was named the new face of Mugler's Angel perfume. These ambassadorial roles have solidified her status as a fashion icon.

In 2023, Schafer joined the blockbuster franchise The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, playing Tigris Snow. The following year, she appeared in two high-profile films: Yorgos Lanthimos's Kinds of Kindness and the horror film Cuckoo, co-starring with John Malkovich and Gemma Chan. These projects demonstrated her versatility and willingness to take on challenging, genre-spanning roles. As of 2026, she continues to star in Euphoria (season 3) and is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in Hollywood, with upcoming projects including AND and Mother Mary. [edit]

Hunter Schafer is widely regarded as a fashion icon and a symbol of transgender visibility in mainstream media. Her personal style blends ethereal, high-fashion elements with an edgy, androgynous appeal, frequently featured on the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and GQ. Fans and critics praise her cool-kid versatility and the emotional depth she brings to her roles, particularly as Jules in Euphoria. On social media, particularly Instagram, she shares her visual art—watercolor paintings and sketches—alongside fashion campaigns, cultivating an artistic, thoughtful persona. She has no official fandom name, but her supporters are deeply engaged, often celebrating her activism and representation. Schafer's public image is that of a grounded, private individual who lets her work and advocacy speak for itself, avoiding tabloid drama and maintaining a focus on her craft.[edit]

Hunter Schafer's audience is defined by a deep, generational resonance that transcends typical celebrity fandom. Her supporters are not just passive consumers but active participants in the cultural conversations she ignites regarding gender identity, artistic expression, and the intersection of high fashion with activism. This community forms an organic network rather than a structured organization; there is no single moniker for her fanbase, nor are there documented rituals like coordinated subway ads or mass street gatherings that define other pop phenomena. Instead, the connection is forged through shared appreciation for her nuanced performances as Jules Vaughn and her visual artistry, creating a loyal following that engages primarily through social media platforms where she shares her watercolors and career updates. The lack of a formalized group name reflects the decentralized nature of her support, which grows naturally from her authentic public presence rather than manufactured campaigns. While she maintains a massive digital footprint with millions of followers on Instagram, the affection shown by her fans remains grounded in admiration for her talent and advocacy rather than chaotic adoration. Her influence extends into global conversations about representation, making her a pivotal figure for a generation seeking visibility. This widespread impact is quantified by her standing in the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. According to these authoritative metrics, Hunter Schafer is currently the 21st most famous person in Art & Design, holding steady from the previous cycle.[edit]

Hunter Schafer maintains an active practice in watercolor painting, a skill she developed before her entertainment career took off. She also studied clothing design formally and has a design practice, though this aspect of her career has been less publicized than her acting and modeling work. She contributed to Rookie Mag and designed activist fashion pieces, such as 2018 underwear with embroidered hands reading 'Peel away every perception.' She was named a semifinalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program during high school, indicating academic excellence alongside artistic talent. Schafer began her modeling career at New York Fashion Week and quickly secured representation with elite global fashion houses. She chose to defer enrollment at Central Saint Martins, a prestigious London arts college, to pursue her entertainment career. She credits an acting coach during Euphoria auditions with making her fall in love with the craft. Despite early bullying, she remained 'decently behaved' as a teen and later wished she had been 'more stupid' to learn lessons earlier. She was named to TIME 100 Next in 2021, with a tribute written by Zendaya. Her physical attributes include a height of 5 ft 8 in (173 cm), and she is frequently noted for an 'ethereal yet edgy' look. A recent anecdote shared in mid-2026 revealed a personal nickname she uses for actor Tom Holland in her phone contacts, described as 'incredible' by Entertainment Weekly. Additionally, interviews from that same period discussed her reflections on the end of Euphoria and her Saturn return at age 27, adding a layer of personal mythology to her public narrative.[edit]

Hunter Schafer was born to Katy Schafer, a youth minister, and Mac Schafer, a Presbyterian minister. The family moved between churches in New Jersey, Arizona, and finally settled in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is the oldest of four children, with two younger sisters and one younger brother. Her family has been supportive of her transition and career. [edit]

Hunter Schafer is closely associated with Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria, with whom she worked closely on character development and co-wrote an episode. She has also collaborated with director Yorgos Lanthimos on Kinds of Kindness and with Francis Lawrence on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. In fashion, she is a brand ambassador for Shiseido and Mugler. [edit]

As of 2026, Hunter Schafer's dating history is not publicly documented. She has kept her personal life private, and no confirmed relationships have been reported in credible sources. Her current relationship status is single or publicly undisclosed. [edit]

Heading into 2026, Hunter Schafer's net worth is estimated at $3 Million per iFANN's editorial analysis. Her primary income sources include her acting salary from Euphoria, where she also earns from her co-executive producer role. She has appeared in major films like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which likely came with a substantial paycheck. Modeling remains a significant revenue stream: she has worked with luxury brands such as Prada, Dior, Gucci, Calvin Klein, and Marc Jacobs, and holds lucrative brand ambassador deals with Shiseido Makeup and Mugler. These endorsement contracts typically pay six to seven figures annually. Schafer also earns from guest appearances on late-night shows and events. While she does not have publicly known real estate holdings or investments, her career trajectory suggests her net worth will grow substantially in the coming years as she takes on more leading roles and expands her brand partnerships.[edit]

For her breakout role as Jules Vaughn in Euphoria, Hunter Schafer has won a Shorty Award, an MTV Movie and TV Award, and a Dorian Award. These honors recognize her powerful performance and impact on television. [edit]