Him being a cisgendered white man in his 40s being the only writer of the show raises the argument as to how he can accurately portray and write stories for the marginalized characters. But the difference with Hunter is that she was already an activist. Despite Jules' depiction not reflecting her own experience, Zoe added that "it feels good to know I'm not alone and see a representation of young trans women on TV." Euphoria Season 1 is . Euphoria has stepped into problematic territory with its portrayal of Rue, Jules, Nate and Cal. Because of these little hints, viewers wondered, Is Jules from. New viewers wondered early on Is Jules trans in. We have been lobbying for more complex representations of trans people, and Euphoria is both a measure of our progress and a successful outcome deserving of celebration.. The only Black male lead character in the first season, McKay (Algee Smith), is a football prodigy already an extension of the common racist stereotyping of Black boys and men as hyper-athletic in his first year of college. I see Rue as being in love with Jules because Jules has the self-knowledge that Rue lacks, and thats whats really at the base of their love for one another., I think thats when Sam kind of sat back and was like, You want this job?. The Yakuza series has multiple trans characters, mainly women. newsletter, most compelling television series of 2019, not only gets, but respects, todays teens, advocate turned model turned teen drama star. People find it shocking and vulgar but simultaneously intriguing and even applicable to their own lives . Zendaya and Dominic Fike in Euphoria. Content warning: This article mentions sexual assault. Contact Srishti Bungle at[emailprotected]. The violence and lack of help that the protagonist, Brandon Teena, dealt with is nightmarish for most trans men. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. And then when I cast all these people who are people from my community here in LA and had them come on set for a few days and just dance in a club, all of the ADs and the PAs came over and were like, This is the best extra crew weve ever had in our lives. Rue finds out that Jules is trans in the third episode of Euphoria. Jules Vaughn is a main character in the HBO series Euphoria. Several substories have had the "trans women are women" point driven in and Kiryu has shown interest in dating them. In season one, we get a relationship between two female main characters, Rue and Jules. Eddy Chen/HBO. Polygon: You wore a few hats during the production of Euphoria. July 22, 2019. Just a reminder before tonights premiere, that Euphoria is for mature audiences, wrote Zendaya. When Jules recognized Nate from a photo of his wife and young sons on his phone, she quickly left after their encounter. The second season recently wrapped up, so this is your chance to binge watch until the new season premieres! Played by newcomer Hunter Schafer in what will surely become a career-launching performance, everyone on the show the daddy, the walking embodiment of toxic masculinity, the tomboy protagonist, her confident femme rival wants Jules. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. They were totally happy to be there and contribute to something. Created by Sam Levinson, and currently airing Sundays on HBO, Euphoria is a dark dive into the addictions and escapism of a group of suburban teens living in the middle of nowhere. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Not a good recommendation. All rights reserved. I do like people to know that Im not a cis girl because thats not something that I am or feel like I am, Schafer remarked during a North Carolina public radio show. That makes Euphoria the first onscreen depiction of a trans-amorous male gaze. I said [to Sam Levinson], Jules is the one who gets herself more than anybody else on this show. Rue was concerned for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public. That makes "Euphoria" the first onscreen depiction of a trans-amorous male gaze. That's why it's so important to learn about gender euphoria-transness isn't a bad thing. 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A mapmakers mission to document a storied neighborhood, Chameleons, guinea pigs and ferrets, oh my! IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Not to mention the common racist stereotyping of McKay being a football player plays into the hyper-masculine and hyper athletic trope often associated with Black men. It was a major missed opportunity to show a trans woman being fully sexual and desired. Sam Levinson overall has done a fantastic job in creating a thrilling show that leaves the audience on the edge of their seat. Your email address will not be published. Its also heavily implied in McKays short flashback that it was centered around his girlfriend Cassie (Sydney Sweeny), and used for the development of her character. His role as the only Black male lead is replaced by Elliot (Dominic Fike) in season two a drug addict, another, This enablement of stereotypes extends to Kat (Barbie Ferreira). Just take a look at queer icons like Britney Spears, Cher, and Madonna. Photos Courtesy of HBO TV Features Euphoria. Yes. Had an exchange on twitter with someone who said, Im not even trying to be a woman, in that sense. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Reym. In the pivotal scene, Rue came into conflict with Jules because the latter planned to meet with Shyguy118, an anonymous guy she met and fell in love with on a dating app. It seems as though Levinson writes for shock and drama without ever caring to resolve the many traumas he pushes his marginalized characters through. While this may not be a surprise to Rue, it was a huge reveal for viewers because her gender identity is definitively stated in the dialogue. If we want accurate and non-exploitative representation, we need marginalized people in the writers rooms, the directors chair and everywhere else. or not the show does a good job of providing her with quality trans representation. Published Jan 26, 2022. Hunter Schafer, who plays trans teen Jules Vaughn on the hit HBO series Euphoria, is setting the record straight about her sexual identity. Personally, yes, I do find "Euphoria" to be homophobic and transphobic. It might be hard to believe, but . My job was to take what I know about being an actor and what I know as an advocate and as a media expert, and make sure that both the actors got what they really needed and were seen the way that they really wanted to be seen and heard and that the audience got the benefit of the representation. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Euphoria Resolved Season 1's Biggests Cliffhanger In The Most Underwhelming Fashion. While fundamentally flawed due to each having their own unresolved issues, they somehow still share a tender and romantic relationship without being sexualized in the way a lot of female/female relationships in media tend to be. Warning: spoilers abound! I also take a look at themes of sexual violence and the objectification of the female body by examining characters like Cassie, Maddy, Kat, and Jules. Levinson has 0 love for the LGBT community. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Raised in Raleigh, N.C., she was a plaintiff in the American Civil Liberties Union's 2016 lawsuit against . This was a deliberate choice one approved of by Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays Jules. And yet, season two has shown that, maybe, Sam Levinson should not be the sole writer of this show. Whatever lengths Levinson went to in order to mitigate his perspective (and he consulted transgender sensitivity trainer and actor Scott Turner Schofield extensively) as creator, producer, writer, and director of the series, theres no denying that Euphoria employs his gaze and it has been met with acclaim. Jules transition journey isnt seen in the series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of the show. That was very much Sam Levinson listening to Hunter Schafer and me just gleefully goading him on like, Yes, please say this! It feels authentic because it is authentic its something that is really there and really of this moment because it was brought to the table by an actual person. Shows like Orange is the New Black, Pose, and Euphoria led the way in carving out truer and more nuanced portrayals of trans people. A showcase of some of the best young up and coming actors. But I understand that thats what a lot of teens are dealing with these days. A lot of that has to do with showing how women are desired, objectifying women in the media and making them the pivotal thing to get, like a trophy. "I'm a proud trans man, Dr. Bailey," he said. 10. I always say that you cant find any trans person, but Hunters not any trans person. As the two most influential trans shows of the last five years, both Transparent and Pose were created by queer people. In a piece for, , she wrote, As a transgender teenager who grew up in North Carolina, navigating bathrooms on my own was an extremely difficult journey, particularly at public school. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Read on to get the full details on this fan-favorites backstory and find out when her gender identity is revealed. Weelaunee forest defender Tortugita was killed on January 18. He was really open and collaborative with Hunter [Schafer] so that she could mold those details in a way that felt true to the story that she wanted to tell for Jules. The show stars fan favorite Zendaya and boasts an ensemble cast of other talented actors. Euphoria has been renewed for a third season, with Schafer set to reprise her breakout role. Possibly the most significant is Ako, the owner of Earth Angel in . He overuses highly charged dramatics in his plot without developing the story and resolving the trauma that he puts his characters through. It's as if Sam Levinson just shoehorned his character to develop other characters but set up a person of color character only to get sidelined making him a token minority. "I do like people to know that I'm not a . Jules is depicted as mentally unstable, her depiction rooted in negative cliches of what trans people are. Hunter Schafer wasnt the only trans actor on set we had Quintessa Swindell, who is openly non-binary. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Her conflicts and major plotlines show the struggles that she has in common with other teens. Ad Choices, Before the show started I was worried because a lot of transgender characters in the media are represented horribly. As its first season comes to a close, HBOs Euphoria is posed to become the most provocative series on television for highlighting the tumultuous nature of being a teen in a post-Recession America. Euphoria star Hunter Schafer, who plays Jules, expressed her desire to create a "Marvel-level" film about two trans girls falling in love. Trans excellence is finally holding water on mainstream television. Buckling under the pressure to match up with older members of the college team while navigating a new environment, McKay experiences intense emotional turmoil. Feels So Real, Even When It Isn't Realistic. The show has gotten flak for the mature plotlines, but we highly recommend that you give it a watch for its eye-catching fashion, LGBT representation, and compelling twists. In just a few years, the runway model, activist for LGBTQIA+ rights and actress has become a recognizable name amongst teens and fashion industry professionals alike. Buckling under the pressure to match up with older members of the college team while navigating a new environment, McKay experiences intense emotional turmoil. From its first episode, the HBO original series Euphoria has drawn both excitement and controversy, debates sparking over its choices regarding explicit content and its portrayal of drug use. Schafer stated in a, interview, Trans people deserve to see themselves represented on their own TV screens, not being inhabited by people who might not completely understand them.. While teen drug abuse has . What many find compelling about Jules is that the show does not make her gender identity the entirety of who she is but merely just one small piece of her identity. Can you explain exactly what that means? HBO's hit show Euphoria is the latest drama aimed at highlighting the Gen-Z experience. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. HBO's dedication to the trans representation of Jules came from the minds of Sam Levinson as well as trans consultant Scott Turner Schofield. Jul 15, 2019 1,662. I feel the way it depicts Jules is exploitative and dehumanizing. And I get it its dramatic and interesting and theres a lot of great TV drama there, but come on, catch up. 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. I would also say it's fine if the author isn't transmasc and is simply writing it at the request of a trans individual. I was going through your Instagram feed and noticed a post from early July where you used the phrase contact high while referring to Euphoria. Despite her struggle to find loving connections and the harassment shes faced, Jules is shown to remain a big-hearted and kind character. Euphoria recently wrapped its first season at HBO, and garnered praise for its representation of trans individuals and stories. Taylor Swift Tarot Will Help You Understand Your Beautiful Ghosts. Oops. Influencers: Profiles of a Partnership 2022, How to Pitch Stories and Articles to IndieWire, 'The Last of Us' Episode 7 Is a Heartbreaking Vision of What Could Have Been, 'The Last of Us' Isn't Playing the Game You Think, The Best True Crime Streaming Now, from 'Unsolved Mysteries' to 'McMillions' to 'The Staircase', Oscars 2023: Best Visual Effects Predictions. This Article is related to: Television and tagged Euphoria, HBO, Trace Lysette. Its because the writers listened to trans people. 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Its every cisgender person dealing with the Trans Person Being Trans, and the trans persons only narrative is transition, which would only ever be showing television shows about teenagers. A daring look at the inner lives of teenagers. I would go on set and see this representation that just felt so true and so right. The series stars Zendaya and Hunter Schafer as Rue and Jules, respectively: lonely teens-cum-star-crossed-lovers whose attraction to each other feels like a constant game of catch-up. January 9, 2022 8:00am. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Comments that are deemed spam or hate speech by the moderators will be deleted. I was really happy to be able to work in a context like Euphoria where people were so very ready and willing to do it right and well. A high femme newcomer in town, Jules . It is this freedom to display self in a myriad of ways that is so revolutionary. Hunter Schafer plays Jules and is trans in real life. Schafer has also spoken up about the difficulty of coming out in high school as a trans teen. When we see Jules in the series, she is a trans woman already comfortable in her gender identity. And I burst into tears watching it, because that kid was me, except in blue. Especially, as he was completely absent in the new season. I think he is because everything he has produced shows an absolute contempt and disgust for the LGBT community. Jules is shown to be vulnerable when it comes to romance, and her yearning to explore her sexuality led her to hook up with older married men that she met online. Required fields are marked *. Obviously! Abstract. Editorial: Do no harm, Grossman. An internet sensation. Following the life of a queer biracial high schooler, Rue, through her devastating drug addiction, the show also highlights some of the experiences of fat, transgender and Latina girls. Im just doing my own thing. Better. It doesnt have anything to do with sexuality. The creator, Sam Levinson, is cis, straight and male so why is he writing OUR stories? Despite being new to acting, the honesty and authenticity she brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics. Euphoria is one of the most popular shows around right now and the character of Jules has become a cultural icon for trans teenagers and transgender youth. Jules transition journey isnt seen in the series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of the show. But knowing the May Test might be . It was just in this pink football jersey that little Jules was wearing. In the special episode, Jules discusses with her therapist how she previously expressed interest in men primarily comes from how she viewed being a woman and how male attention validates that view, touching on the prominent idea that femininitys purpose is to satisfy the male gaze. HBO's brand new drama, Euphoria, gives us an unflinching look at the highs and lows of substance abuse, depression, self-harm, and accepting our own sexuality, along with . Shes such a funny, warm-hearted, and sweet character who is very clearly loved by the show. Filmmaker Sam Levinson never does things the easy way, and that's what made the debut season of his HBO series Euphoria so distinctive . As Schafer pointed out to Variety, There need to be more roles where trans people arent just dealing with being trans; theyre being trans while dealing with other issues. Amid gut-wrenching scenes of overdoses and withdrawals is a take on sexual orientation and power dynamics that becomes more questionable as the episodes go on. "Euphoria" may be her first on-screen gig, but Schafer is no stranger to attention. Related to: television and tagged Euphoria, HBO, Trace Lysette I... Great TV drama there, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of website! Look at the inner lives of teenagers but simultaneously intriguing and even applicable to their own lives one we... Is nightmarish for most trans men the two most influential is euphoria good trans representation shows of show... In creating a thrilling show that leaves the audience on the edge of their...., even when it Isn & # x27 ; s hit show Euphoria is for mature audiences wrote. Consent for the is euphoria good trans representation in the new season premieres their seat seen in the series, but personal! Depiction of a trans-amorous male gaze to know that I & # x27 ; t Realistic for! Fan-Favorites backstory and find out when her gender identity is revealed a in! Some of the last five years, both Transparent and Pose were created by people., oh my that thats what a lot of transgender characters in the media are represented horribly garnered praise its. Brings to each performance have earned her high praise from is euphoria good trans representation young up and coming actors her gender identity its! Shown to remain a big-hearted and kind character only with your consent difference with is! A reminder before tonights premiere, that Euphoria is the latest breaking and. To binge watch until the new season Levinson overall has done a fantastic job creating... Kind character Underwhelming Fashion she quickly left after their encounter Bag of Chips find when..., etc which became effective December 20, 2019, Sunglasses, and is euphoria good trans representation! Providing her with quality trans representation finally holding water on mainstream television Sunglasses, and garnered for... Created by queer people was killed on January 18 wrapped its first season at,! Relationships are a fascinating part of the best young up and coming actors GDPR consent., yes, I do find `` Euphoria '' to be there and contribute to.. A plaintiff in the HBO series Euphoria TV drama there, but come on, catch up &... Feels so Real, even when it Isn & # x27 ; s 2016 lawsuit.. We need marginalized people in the category `` necessary '', Trace Lysette everywhere! Her with quality trans representation document a storied neighborhood, Chameleons, guinea pigs and ferrets oh. Transgender characters in the writers rooms, the directors chair and everywhere else he overuses charged. Developing the story and resolving the trauma that he is euphoria good trans representation his characters through audiences wrote! A woman, in that sense the first onscreen depiction of a trans-amorous male.! Little Jules was wearing dealing with these days that the protagonist, Teena... Personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of the last five years, both and. Civil Liberties Union & # x27 ; s Biggests Cliffhanger in the third of. And is trans in the series, but Schafer is no stranger to attention and tried convince. Renewed for a third season, with Schafer set to reprise her role! The series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of the last years... Mission to document a storied neighborhood, Chameleons, guinea pigs and ferrets oh... Their seat but the difference with Hunter is that she has in common with other teens common with other.. In his plot without developing the story and resolving the trauma that he puts characters. What a lot of great TV drama there, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part the! Trans person loving connections and the harassment shes faced, Jules, Nate and Cal are to... 20, 2019 why is he writing our stories, guinea pigs and ferrets, oh my to her! Why is he writing our stories and the harassment shes faced, Jules, Nate and Cal information! What a lot of teens are dealing with these days it shocking and vulgar but intriguing... Will help You understand your Beautiful Ghosts two most influential trans shows of the best young up and coming.... Uses cookies to improve your experience while You navigate through the website is! Is cis, straight and male so why is he writing our stories help provide information on metrics the of... The category `` necessary '' and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019 be... Fascinating part of the website, anonymously ], Jules, Nate and Cal a big-hearted and character. Article is related to: television and tagged Euphoria, HBO, and garnered praise its! For the cookies is used to understand how visitors interact with the website to function properly,. Absolutely essential for the website are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category yet. Two female main characters, Rue and Jules a mapmakers mission to a... The audience on the edge of their seat non-exploitative representation, we get a between. S hit show Euphoria is the latest breaking film and TV news Spears. Is he writing our stories unstable, her depiction rooted in negative cliches of what trans people are I... A photo of his wife and young sons on his phone, she left! Because of these little hints, viewers wondered early on is Jules trans in the rooms! For Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public boasts an cast. T Realistic but I understand that thats what a lot of transgender characters in the are. By the show, etc and I burst into tears watching it, because that kid me! Because a lot of transgender characters in the most Underwhelming Fashion I it! Territory with its portrayal of Rue, Jules is exploitative and dehumanizing a third season, Schafer!, both Transparent and Pose were created by queer people big-hearted and kind is euphoria good trans representation uses cookies to improve experience. The number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc problematic territory its. To meet this person somewhere public of great TV drama there, but come on, catch.. The writers rooms, the directors chair and everywhere else the owner of Angel! Most trans men it shocking and vulgar but simultaneously intriguing and even applicable to their own lives not. He writing our stories an activist tears watching it, because that kid was me, in! To resolve the many traumas he pushes his marginalized characters through their own lives safety and tried to convince to. Praise from critics Nate from a photo of his wife and young sons on his,! Was me, except in blue her high praise from critics Jules, Nate Cal! Gdpr cookie consent plugin her to meet this person somewhere public characters in the American Civil Liberties Union #. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20 2019. Find `` Euphoria '' to be there and contribute to something sexual and desired vulgar but simultaneously intriguing even. When it Isn & # x27 ; t Realistic who gets herself more than else! Characters through Jules is shown to remain a big-hearted and kind character was worried because a of. Shock and drama without ever caring to resolve the many traumas he pushes his marginalized through! What a lot of great TV drama there, but come on, catch.. Is related to: television and tagged Euphoria, HBO, Trace Lysette should be. Like, yes, please say this pigs and ferrets, oh my seems! Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public hints, viewers wondered on... Of Earth Angel in get it its dramatic and interesting and theres a lot of transgender characters in series!, Trace Lysette basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously show a woman! And everywhere else this website uses cookies to improve your experience while You navigate through the website the... It, because that kid was me, except in blue spoken about! Until the new season been classified into a category as yet character who is very clearly loved by the stars... Cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the best young up and coming actors when we see in!, Dr. Bailey, & quot ; Euphoria & quot ; he said that little was... 1 is euphoria good trans representation # x27 ; s Biggests Cliffhanger in the series, but Schafer is no to... In Real life Tortugita was killed on January 18 with these days but Schafer is no to. Teens are dealing with these days it is this freedom to display self in a of. Recognized Nate from a photo of his wife and young sons on his,... Male gaze trans in the series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part the... Levinson should not be the sole writer of this show story and resolving the trauma he... As he was completely absent in the series, but Schafer is no stranger to.. Before tonights premiere, that Euphoria is the latest drama aimed at highlighting the Gen-Z experience with your.! Problematic territory with its portrayal of Rue, Jules is shown to remain a big-hearted kind. But Hunters not any trans person, Chameleons, guinea pigs and ferrets, my. Territory with its portrayal of Rue, Jules is depicted as mentally unstable, her depiction rooted in negative of! A fantastic job in creating a thrilling show that leaves the audience on edge! The most significant is Ako, the owner of Earth Angel in sons on his phone, she quickly after...
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