Hunter Schafer reveals she had gender-affirming surgery, says she feels ‘amazing’
“I just had bottom surgery in December, which was amazing, and I love it so much,” Schafer said
Euphoria star Hunter Schafer has revealed that she underwent gender-affirming surgery in December 2025, describing the experience as “amazing” in a new interview with Elle. The 27-year-old actor opened up about her decision to undergo the procedure, explaining how her understanding of her gender identity evolved over time.
“I just had bottom surgery in December, which was amazing, and I love it so much,” Schafer said in the interview published on October 19. She reflected on her journey towards the decision, explaining that she had spent years trying to embrace her body before deciding that medical transition was the right choice for her.
“For a long time I’ve embraced the gender-expansive part of myself, and I really wanted to try to make that previous body work, because I thought there was something really cool and badass about it,” she explained.
Schafer said her experience eventually led her to reconsider the relationship between her ideas about gender and how she wanted to live in everyday life. Reflecting on where she stands today, the actor said, “I’m a woman. I’m a girl.”
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes star also discussed her recovery following the procedure. She rented a large apartment where friends and family could visit while she rested, with her movement initially restricted to a very limited number of steps each day.
“I think my limit was 150 steps per day, which is nothing,” Schafer recalled, describing the restrictions she faced during recovery.
The actor, who began transitioning at the age of 14, has spoken publicly about her experiences as a transgender woman throughout her career. However, she has also expressed frustration with being defined primarily by her transgender identity, explaining in a 2024 interview with GQ that she wanted to move beyond repeatedly discussing her transition and focus on her work.
Schafer first gained widespread recognition for playing Jules Vaughn in HBO’s Euphoria, opposite Zendaya. The role established her as a prominent young actor, while her work in fashion and films such as The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes has expanded her career beyond television.
In her latest interview, Schafer also reflected on how much she has changed since Euphoria premiered in 2019. She described herself as an introverted teenager when she first joined the series, adding that she has since become more comfortable performing and expressing herself publicly.
Beyond discussing her own journey, Schafer revealed that she would like to star in a romantic comedy centred on a transgender woman. “I would just love to see a trans girl rom-com,” she said, explaining that she had been thinking about the idea for some time and would like to help make it happen.
Schafer’s latest comments offer a personal account of her decision to undergo surgery and the way her understanding of herself has developed. She also emphasised that her experience is individual, reflecting the different paths transgender people may take in deciding what is right for them.
