Euphoria star Hunter Schafer tells Elle UK how life has changed: ‘I get recognised pretty much every day’

The actor reflects on life in the limelight after appearing on the hit HBO show
Euphoria star Hunter Schafer speaks on dealing with the spotlight in a new interview with Elle UK
Paola KudackI/ELLEUK
Escher Walcott28 February 2023
The Weekender

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Euphoria star Hunter Schafer discusses her sudden rise to fame following her breakout role on the hit show in the new issue of Elle UK.

Schafer was 21 when she made her acting debut portraying Jules Vaughan on the HBO drama, which centres on a group of students struggling with social issues and substance abuse.

Now 24, the actor has reached the heights of her already-established co-star Zendaya, and has continued to break barriers in the fashion and acting world as she represents the trans community.

Speaking on her popularity, Schafer told Elle UK: “From the airing of the first episode to my first million followers on Instagram, it was, like, a month. It was a huge adjustment, for sure.

Schafer stars on the cover of the March issue of Elle UK
Paola Kudacki/ELLE UK

“Nobody really knew if the show was going to hit like that, you know? It’s strange, because I thought it would kind of level off after season one, but season two felt like it doubled in size.”

Prior to securing her Euphoria role, Schafer worked as a successful model with several brands, including Prada and Dior, and continues to juggle both careers as she’s starred in fashion campaigns while also filming season two of the show.

‘I get recognised pretty much every day. It was a huge adjustment’
Paolo Kudacki/ELLE UK

The New Jersey-born actor credited her modelling agency for leading her to acting success, as she revealed that they informed her about the audition of Jules in Euphoria, adding: “I wasn’t looking for it.”

Four years on from the first season of the show, Schafer has adjusted to life in the limelight.

“I get recognised pretty much every day,” she said.

Prada Fall/Winter 2023 Womenswear Fashion Show - Arrivals and Front Row
Schafer works as a successful model alongside her career in acting
Getty Images for Prada

“I used to get really dressed up. I still love doing that. But I know that now comes with more attention. So, I’ve learned to keep it a little more low-key.”

Schafer noted her social life as having changed the most since finding fame, saying: “That’s been pretty disorientating. But it’s also things like the financial side of things.

“That side of my life has changed greatly and it’s been amazing, but it’s also been so important I channel that into things and people I care about.”

Having reached a position where more opportunities are being presented, Schafer shared her intention to find roles that are different to her breakout character Jules moving forward.

“When I first started reading scripts, people just wanted to send me a lot of roles like Jules or about how I identify,” the actor continued.

“I got a little scared of getting stuck in the same sort of role over and over again. I’ve been pretty intentional about making sure everything feels a step away from the other and a little bit different.”

The April issue of ELLE UK is on sale from March 2.

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