What Happened to Hunter Schafer?

Hunter Schafer, born on December 31, 1998, in Trenton, New Jersey, first gained public attention not for her acting, but for her powerful activism. As a transgender teenager, she became the youngest plaintiff in a 2016 lawsuit against North Carolina's Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, commonly known as the 'bathroom bill,' which restricted transgender individuals from using public restrooms aligning with their gender identity. Her early advocacy earned her a spot on Teen Vogue's '21 Under 21' list in 2017, highlighting her as an emerging voice for LGBTQ+ rights.

Schafer initially pursued a career in fashion, signing with Elite Model Management in 2017 and walking for major brands like Dior, Marc Jacobs, and Gucci. Her ethereal yet edgy look quickly made her a sought-after model, appearing in numerous fashion magazines. While planning to attend Central Saint Martins for clothing design, a casting call on Instagram led her to an unexpected path: acting. In 2019, Schafer made her acting debut as Jules Vaughn in HBO's critically acclaimed teen drama 'Euphoria.' Her portrayal of a transgender high school student navigating complex relationships and self-discovery garnered widespread praise, with many noting the authenticity she brought to the character, a role she also helped co-write an episode for.

Following her breakthrough in 'Euphoria,' Schafer's career diversified rapidly. She became a global brand ambassador for Shiseido Makeup in 2020 and Prada in 2021, further solidifying her status in the fashion world. In 2021, Time magazine recognized her as one of its 'Next' list of 100 emerging leaders. Her film career began with voice work in the English dub of the Japanese animated film 'Belle' (2021) and expanded into live-action with a supporting role as Tigris Snow in 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' (2023), where her performance was lauded.

2024 saw Schafer take on her first lead feature film role in the horror-thriller 'Cuckoo' and a minor role in Yorgos Lanthimos's anthology film 'Kinds of Kindness.' She also appeared in the horror short film 'The Hunt' in 2025. Despite her growing film career, Schafer returned for 'Euphoria' Season 3, which premiered on April 12, 2026, marking a significant return to the role that launched her acting career. She has expressed a preference for film over television but made an exception for 'Blade Runner 2099,' an upcoming Amazon Prime Video series she is slated to join.

As of April 13, 2026, Hunter Schafer remains a prominent figure in entertainment and fashion. Her upcoming projects include the film 'Mother Mary,' a drama co-starring Anne Hathaway, set to be released on April 24, 2026. Schafer continues to leverage her platform to advocate for transgender rights and representation, embodying a new generation of artists who are both creatively impactful and socially conscious.