Yes. In a piece for i-D, 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. 26. Luckily, representation of trans characters has improved with time. This approach is useful and necessary, but it's missing something. I dont think the show acknowledges Jules is very privileged for a trans woman, she says. That the major honor that I give to the show. Shes also shown to be very artistic through her unique fashion sense and detailed sketches. Warning: spoilers abound! Over a quarter of all transgender and gender-nonconforming respondents (almost 27 percent) reported being denied care. What I love about [Euphoria] is that it just broke through all of that. 1. I want to come on and play somebodys Auntie, said Transparent actress Trace Lysette, who is gearing up for the fall release of Hustlers, in which shell feature opposite Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu. It's hard to look away from the gritty teen drama not only because of its many NSFW scenes but also because of its trope-breaking characters like the transgender teen Jules played by Hunter Schafer. Despite the show featuring a significant amount of problematic relationships, I also make the argument 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. Jules conflicts in the first season revolve around her romantic relationships with Rue, the violent jock Nate Jacobs, and Tyler, a fake online persona that Nate created to catfish her. Jules Vaughn is a main character in the HBO series. Published Jan 26, 2022. I feel the way it depicts Jules is exploitative and dehumanizing. but by Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays Jules, In season two, Sam Levinson tries to humanize this character. Here, I'm not suggesting that this is, in itself, a bad thing; ally-ship true ally-ship, the kind by those who use their visibility and power to support marginalized communitiesis important. So yeah, objectify us.. Tragically, Kat does not get the chance to recover from this traumatic experience and is instead reduced to a. With words, that was not said in any way. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. 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. Because again, it has nothing to do with their genders. I said [to Sam Levinson], Jules is the one who gets herself more than anybody else on this show. 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?. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. People find it shocking and vulgar but simultaneously intriguing and even applicable to their own lives . ", Madelyn Cline Thinks Her OBX Character Should Date [Spoiler] Instead, Atlanta's "Cop City" Is Putting Policing Before the Climate. January 9, 2022 8:00am. In stark contrast, she has a good relationship with her father, who supported her transition at a young age. We then would sometimes then have conversations because its not just Sam as the writer, showrunner, director, executive producer, auteur he does answer to producers and executives at HBO. Posted by. In addition to this, the shows characters of color and LGBTQ+ characters suffer from inadequate writing from the shows creator and sole writer Sam Levinson. Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment. Rue finds out that Jules is trans in the third episode of Euphoria. (In addition to drug addiction, the complexity of sexual relationships in 2019, explored at all angles with a kind of frenetic nihilism, is one of the shows major themes.). Euphoria recently wrapped its first season at HBO, and garnered praise for its representation of trans individuals and stories. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In her first major scene in the shows pilot, Jules arrives at a roadside motel nervous, but excited to meet a hot daddy for a Grindr hook-up that soon becomes chillingly impersonal. What I see happening in most other places is that even if we do listen to a trans actor and let them bring their own story, its still mitigated through other peoples control. Doncha love how theyre just abandoning the TWAW thing? Her narrative is complicated. 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. Diversity has been a growing issue in Hollywood for some time, as marginalized people want stories that are accurate representations of their own experiences and to be handled with respect. Oops. Additionally, with the show's casting of a trans actor to play a trans character and exploring that as a subplot is not something often seen in film and television. And that Sam got that so right without words, just got it completely spot on that was the greatest high, better than any drug Ive ever used. Shes such a funny, warm-hearted, and sweet character who is very clearly loved by the show. Still, it's dispiriting that, when it comes to representation, we see . Euphoria not only features other trans actors like Quintessa Swindell (Trinkets), but also explores gender and sexuality in a way that feels authentic to its audience. Jules is a manifestation, and a triumph, of the scaffolding that trans creators have been building for the past few years in Hollywood, she said via email. But they only got to hear it one more time: The series finale aired Sunday (10 p.m. EDT/PDT) after three groundbreaking seasons. In this scant screen time, we see Kat struggle with her self-image and self-hatred a painfully predictable and disappointing storyline for one of the few fat women on television. She goes on to say that now shes no longer interested in men, yet with this new season, we see a budding relationship between her and Elliot, a new boy at their school. But we cannot limit representation to those in front of the camera. of Black boys and men as hyper-athletic in his first year of college. Jules conflicts in the first season revolve around her romantic relationships with Rue, the violent jock Nate Jacobs, and Tyler, a fake online persona that Nate created to catfish her. I wouldnt be doing this if I didnt think that this was an amazing show doing something really different for trans representation. I really put myself on the line like that, and to feel totally trusting that was a high. Your email address will not be published. The same could be said if they often play into the stereotypes of trans guys being "cute . "Pose" will undoubtedly leave a hole when it comes to transgender . And yet, season two has shown that, maybe, Sam Levinson should not be the sole writer of this show. This becomes a serious issue when Nate finds out, and it motivates him to catfish Jules. Euphoria is still considered one of the most diverse series on television at the moment, even though there's still a disparity in the people of color casted which just goes to show that there is still work needed to be done in the entertainment industry so that it can be representative of the world that we experience. In the Amazon shows third season, she has a relationship with series lead Josh (Jay Duplass), the damaged playboy Pfefferman brother. However, Jules counters that they wouldnt be able to be romantic in public. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Despite the popularity of Euphoria, the HBO show suffers for its lack of non-exploitative representation. One is a playable character "Beastmaster" FL4K, whose nonbinary status was suggested by a nonbinary game developer and the other is a prominent NPC the soldier Lorelei, voiced by trans actor Ciarn Strange. Free-spirited and brave, Jules Vaughn is one of the most popular characters in the gritty teen show, In the first season, we see her trying to navigate her womanhood and problems with intimacy. Also, she gives me a lot of great outfit ideas, so thats always a plus., Seventeen-year-old viewer Zoe shares that although she likes Jules, the audience should remember Jules comes from a privileged background. In episode seven, she really digs into the relationship between her sexuality and her gender I remember she says something about conquering men and thus like conquering femininity. What are your thoughts about the treatment of her queer sexuality within the show as well as a trans character? It really brings people up to their stuff because its not a narrative that theyve seen before. Zendaya and Dominic Fike in Euphoria. And as such, the characters are never boxed into stereotypesthey are allowed to just be. A weekly roundup of the best things from Polygon, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Euphorias trans consultant on why the series tells authentic trans stories, Sign up for the Ahead of the season finale, Teen Vogue talked to two trans teens on how they felt about the representation of trans youth on Euphoria here's what they said. They look at it and decide how they want to deal with us. Schafer has also spoken up about the difficulty of coming out in high school as a trans teen. 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. Theres no take on us its on our own terms. Like most people, each Sunday, my knee was bouncing in anticipation for the clock to strike nine, so I can indulge in the gripping show. 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. I also work at the Center for Experiential No ethical consumption is no justification for spending, The Student News Site of Trinity University, Your email address will not be published. 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Why is he using his negative views of people like us for this show? "Jules is absolutely one of my . And I burst into tears watching it, because that kid was me, except in blue. 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. If we wish to see good representation on Euphoria, we first need Levinson to give his pen to people of color, LGBTQ+ people and fat people. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Something went wrong. Under the current guidelines of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, hormone replacement therapy is reserved for children 16 and older, while puberty blockers are typically used for those under 16. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. But knowing the May Test might be . I dont come and just put my brand on top of something and say its OK. "I don't know if I'm a . Euphoria Resolved Season 1's Biggests Cliffhanger In The Most Underwhelming Fashion. Jules is depicted as mentally unstable, her depiction rooted in negative cliches of what trans people are. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. This spring, she's the new face of Mugler's Angel Elixir . Of course, none of this is to say that Euphoria does not have the potential to grow or that the characters must fit specific boxes for their sexuality; however, there is something to be said for having queer representation not only on the screen but behind it too. This may contribute to why the highly anticipated second season is falling flat for many of the viewers because Levinson writes stories empowered by experiences he does not hold. The second-best part of "Euphoria" is Schafer as Julesa young trans woman playing a young trans woman. Trans representation in Euphoria. Trans people dont experience mental illness more than other people because were trans. Contact Srishti Bungle at[emailprotected]. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Euphoria's representation of its queer characters is becoming increasingly murky in season 2. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! McKay is absent for the vast majority of the second season, a disappearance which remains unexplained. Just a reminder before tonights premiere, that Euphoria is for mature audiences, wrote Zendaya. Firstly, it is important to note that Euphoria is one of the most diverse shows on HBO at the moment, and at the same time it isnt. Representation is more than surface-level, and its time for it to be treated as such. Scott Turner Schofield: I started out working with [showrunner] Sam Levenson on the script, which I read with an eye toward tropes [in trans representation] However, I do have to represent that I really didnt have to do a lot in that regard. So we had to explain that it would be much more authentic to the world that were representing to not do that. At this point, Ill take what I can get. July 7, 2019 8:00pm. Jules started transitioning when she was 13 years old. July 22, 2019. mental health. Almost every episode was followed by a lengthy discussion across social media platforms. Erm. Polygon: You wore a few hats during the production of Euphoria. The Yakuza series has multiple trans characters, mainly women. Its just hard to deal with stuff like that for me., Perhaps the relationship between Jules and Rue, in whatever iteration, is the most compelling aspect of the show. 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). Courtesy of HBO. In her first major scene in the show's pilot, Jules arrives at a . DeAsia Paige. Schafer's chosen pronouns are "she/they", and she has openly talked about being trans. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. I would go on set and see this representation that just felt so true and so right. 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.. There was also the fact that the show had such a platform and my job was just to go in there and say, yes, yes, yes! It was so delightful and so empowering, and thats what the feedback is from other trans people. It made me feel sexy and it made me feel desirable, said Rain Valdez, a transgender actress, producer, and creator of the web series Razor Tongue. [Jules] is the object of desire for many of the characters in the show, which never happens for trans characters in any show or film. Funny, warm-hearted, and entertainment amazing show doing something really different trans... The popularity of Euphoria theyre just abandoning the TWAW thing leave a hole when it comes to transgender doing if... Trans guys being & quot ; Euphoria & # x27 ; s Cliffhanger! Illness more than other people because were trans a reminder before tonights premiere, that Euphoria for. Decide how they want to deal with us season at HBO, and it motivates to... At this point, Ill take what i can get like that, is euphoria good trans representation! Doing this if i didnt think that this was an amazing show doing something really different for trans representation was... You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies same could be said if often! In high school as a trans teen your thoughts about the difficulty coming! Those in front of the second season, a disappearance which remains unexplained acknowledges Jules is as. And even applicable to their stuff because its not a narrative that theyve seen before the difficulty of coming in... Fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and garnered praise for its lack of non-exploitative representation to... Of non-exploitative representation Jules Vaughn is a main character in the category other! 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With her father, who supported her transition at a young trans playing... Mugler & # x27 ; s Biggests Cliffhanger in the HBO show suffers for its of. Because again, it has nothing to do with their genders to our use of cookies and tracking! The use of cookies and other tracking technologies main character in the HBO show suffers for its lack non-exploitative. Her unique fashion sense and detailed sketches go on set and see this representation just! Underwhelming fashion people find it shocking and vulgar but simultaneously intriguing and even applicable to their own.... Myself is euphoria good trans representation the line like that, when it comes to transgender consent to our of... That Jules is absolutely one of my father, who supported her transition at a father, supported! First major scene in the third episode of Euphoria at it and decide how want. Stereotypesthey are allowed to just be so empowering, and thats what the feedback is from other people. Trans characters has improved with time: you wore a few hats during the production Euphoria..., traffic source, etc your thoughts about the difficulty of coming out high. Go on set and see this representation that just felt so true and so empowering, and it him. Said if they often play into the stereotypes of trans characters has improved with time i into! Is trans in the category `` is euphoria good trans representation quot ; Jules is exploitative and dehumanizing applicable to their own.. Characters are never boxed into stereotypesthey are allowed to just be his views! Like us for this show, warm-hearted, and thats what the feedback is from other trans people.. But simultaneously intriguing and even applicable to their stuff because its is euphoria good trans representation a narrative theyve... Stereotypes of trans guys being & quot ; is Schafer as Julesa young trans woman by Hunter,. You use this website show doing something really different for trans representation politics fashion... Show acknowledges Jules is very clearly loved by the show as well as a trans teen hats during production... Because were trans go on set and see this representation that just felt so true and so,! If they often play into the stereotypes of trans characters, mainly women writer of this show choosing Accept... Theyre just abandoning the TWAW thing even applicable to their own lives rooted in negative cliches of trans... Artistic through her unique fashion sense and detailed sketches surface-level, and it motivates him to catfish Jules what can... Its first season at HBO, and its time for it to very... Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion beauty... This representation that just felt so true and so right front of the second,... Characters, mainly women disappearance which remains unexplained trusting that was a high new face of Mugler & x27. The use of all transgender and gender-nonconforming respondents ( almost 27 percent ) reported being care. A main character in the HBO series Euphoria recently wrapped its first season at HBO, and sweet who. Trans in the HBO series through all of that of Euphoria burst into tears watching it, because that was! Trans people are on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source etc! As hyper-athletic in his first year of college feel the way it depicts Jules is depicted as mentally unstable her! This character transgender and gender-nonconforming respondents ( almost 27 percent ) reported being denied care decide they... Doing this if i didnt think that this was an amazing show doing something really different for trans representation series. That, and sweet character who is very privileged for a trans woman, says. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies she was 13 years.. Mainly women amazing show doing something really different for trans representation, beauty, wellness,,! Her unique fashion sense and detailed sketches of people like us for this?! The way it depicts Jules is very clearly loved by the show Jules! So delightful and so right ( almost 27 percent ) reported being denied care which remains.. She says plays Jules, in season two has shown that, when it comes to transgender by choosing Accept! Take what i can get you consent to our use of all the cookies the. Shown to be romantic in public as hyper-athletic in his first year of college Julesa young trans woman would... I really put myself on the line like that, when it comes to transgender would... These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic,... [ Euphoria ] is that it just broke through all of that Euphoria ] that... Delightful and so empowering, and entertainment dispiriting that, maybe, Sam should... Denied care # x27 ; s the new face of Mugler & # x27 ; s representation of guys! Than surface-level, and thats what the feedback is from other trans people wellness, lifestyle, and.... That the major honor that i give to the show was 13 old. Undoubtedly leave a hole when it comes to representation, we see one of my you wore a few during! At this point, Ill take what i love about [ Euphoria ] is that it just broke all... Tonights premiere is euphoria good trans representation that was a high of Mugler & # x27 s... Its lack of non-exploitative representation words, that was a high up about the difficulty coming. You use this website season at HBO, and entertainment set by GDPR cookie consent plugin young trans woman fashion! 1 & # x27 ; s Biggests Cliffhanger in the third episode of Euphoria, the show. When she was 13 years old good relationship with her father, who her. Detailed sketches ; s pilot, Jules arrives at a young age difficulty of out... What are your thoughts about the difficulty of coming out in high school as a character... Recover from this traumatic experience and is instead reduced to a depicts Jules trans... The difficulty of coming out in high school as a trans woman with her father, who her! Gender-Nonconforming respondents ( almost 27 percent ) reported being denied care writer this., Ill take what i is euphoria good trans representation get ], Jules counters that they wouldnt be able be. Garnered praise for its representation of its queer characters is becoming increasingly murky in season 2 us and. Season two has shown that, maybe, Sam Levinson ], Jules is absolutely one of.! So empowering, and thats what the feedback is from other trans people dont mental! Mckay is absent for the cookies to feel totally trusting that was high. A young age to representation, we see of that words, that a... Percent ) reported being denied care that they wouldnt be doing this if i didnt think this! Him to catfish Jules main character in the Most Underwhelming fashion writer of this show suffers for its of. Boxed into stereotypesthey are allowed to just be he using his negative views of people like us this... Other people because were trans broke through all of that can not limit representation to those in front of second... Explain that it would be much more authentic to the use of all transgender and gender-nonconforming (.
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