Though the show is not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from other marginalized communities. 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. PHoto: Courtesy of HBO. Throwing Elliot in the middle of Rue and Jules's relationship fetishizes lesbians and is queer baiting. 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. One of the only Black characters, McKay (Algee Smith), is a football prodigy which fuels the already common stereotypes of Black men having to be hyper-athletic and hypemasculine was introduced in season one, and his storyline has seemed to be abandoned in the new season. In season one, we get a relationship between two female main characters, Rue and Jules. McKay is absent for the vast majority of the second season, a disappearance which remains unexplained. Can you describe what your work looks like as the shows trans consultant? Levinson does not give the character fair time to process, grieve or truly react. Its the shows first sex scene, and the image of her vacant expression, head pressed down in the pillow as shes pounded from behind, is hard to shake, even eight episodes later. Rue was concerned for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public. But they only got to hear it one more time: The series finale aired Sunday (10 p.m. EDT/PDT) after three groundbreaking seasons. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Comments that are deemed spam or hate speech by the moderators will be deleted. Since its debut on HBO in June, "Euphoria" has provoked conversations around teen sexuality, trans representation, full-frontal male nudity, and One Direction slash fiction, to name just a few . His role as the only Black male lead is replaced by Elliot (Dominic Fike) in season two a drug addict, another racist stereotype. (Jill Soloway, Ryan Murphy, and Steven Canals, respectively.) Its hard for me to see another trans girl going through that stuff, even though I know its fictional. Adding, Ive been in situations similar to Jules, being stalked and harassed online. 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. New viewers wondered early on Is Jules trans in. Thats why its good. "Jules is absolutely one of my . DeAsia Paige. 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. I get my entire life off of that show on Sundays.. Jules (left) and Rue meet and become fast friends. Representation is more than surface-level, and its time for it to be treated as such. Euphoria and Pose offer two very different trans . Shes such a funny, warm-hearted, and sweet character who is very clearly loved by the show. Since Hunter Schafer stepped into the spotlight playing Jules in the HBO hit Euphoria, her star power has skyrocketed. 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. Emanating a manic pixie trans girl energy unlike anything seen onscreen before, Jules floats magically through every frame in which she appears. For instance, theres an intimate scene between [Quintessas character, Anna] and [Schafers character, Jules] in episode 7 that was a collaboration with the intimacy coordinator. Zendaya and Dominic Fike in Euphoria. It does not store any personal data. Euphoria also handles the characters sexualities extremely well. The fact that its even a question speaks to the depth and breadth of the trans stories finding mainstream success, a reality that would have been unimaginable even five years ago. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 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. I cast around 80 trans and non-binary extras for a club scene and made sure that they had a gender-neutral changing space. Your email address will not be published. With words, that was not said in any way. Jules Vaughn is a main character in the HBO series. Purportedly, Ferreira and Levinson disagreed on the direction of her character in the upcoming season, leading to reduced screen time. Despite the show featuring a significant amount of problematic relationships, I also make the argument B. Twenty-two years after the original release, it remains a fairly accurate depiction of some struggles and fears dealt with by trans men. While there is a demand for a more racially diverse cast, it means that there needs to be a racially diverse writers room. CN: I have some small clips of some transphobic content in the first half.Patreon: http://patreon.com/verityritchiehttps:. Euphoria was created by Sam Levinson; by all accounts a straight, cisgender, white guy who somehow made one of the most sexually fluid TV shows ever produced by Hollywood. Marginalized people want stories that represent the length and breadth of their experiences, good and bad. 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. It might be hard to believe, but . Euphoria is a funhouse mirror, taking the very real experiences of present-day American teenagers and reflecting an exaggerated and dramatic image that tugs at the audiences emotions. Most of all, they want their stories, especially the sensitive ones, to be told with respect. 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. I felt really honored to be chosen to take the job, and I think that the moment when it happened was this moment after we were given the first four episodes to read and talk to them about. 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.. Euphoria. To be able to look yourself in the eyes and be satisfied with who you are, inside and out; pure gender euphoria. Content warning: This article mentions sexual assault. Please log in to add your commentNeed an account? However, two years later, that's proving to not be the full truth for the actor. McKay is absent for the vast majority of the second season, a disappearance which remains unexplained. I truly believe that the thing that makes cis people love and admire trans people so much is the fact that we understand something really deep about ourselves, and thats actually really special. On "Euphoria," the characters' digital and physical lives are constantly swirling around one another, usually in a downward spiral that ends in alienation and self-loathing. Like its name implies, Euphoria is a look into various obsessions, their highs and their sources of abuse or self-destructive behavior that lead to personal pain. The young persons guide to conquering (and saving) the world. The objective of this article is to explore this second perspective by analyzing the representation of Jules, a trans female character from the American series Euphoria (Levinson et al., 2019-present). Something went wrong. I really appreciate how they treat their female characters in particular. Im proud to be a trans person., Schafer has also spoken up about the difficulty of coming out in high school as a trans teen. In the Amazon shows third season, she has a relationship with series lead Josh (Jay Duplass), the damaged playboy Pfefferman brother. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Personally, yes, I do find "Euphoria" to be homophobic and transphobic. Yet the characters holding these obsessions are humanized by being shown through a sympathetic and honest lens. 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. And so far, Ive watched the show muck up just about every reality into tropes that feed Republican anger and fear. However, subtle details in the semi-biopic film push it into bad representation territory. It seems as though Levinson writes for shock and drama without ever caring to resolve the many traumas he pushes his marginalized characters through. Despite being new to acting, the honesty and authenticity she brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics. Borderlands 3. It has a very negative perception of the LGBT community. If you haven't heard about Orange is the New Black 's stunning portrayal of a black trans woman in prison, portrayed by the brilliant . With that in mind, how can TV and film portray trans women as desirable without simply objectifying them? Cis women have been objectified for many, many years. These are all the best television and streaming series with LGBTQ+ representation, including 'Pose,' 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' 'Queer Eye,' and 'Tales of the City.' Member. Obviously! When she was growing up, Schafer . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. For her activism against the HB2, Teen Vogue listed Schafer on its "21 Under 21" list in 2017. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Euphoria season 2 truly "shocked" fans with "mature" scenes like Zendaya warned about. Schafer has also spoken up about the difficulty of coming out in high school as a trans teen. When it comes to characters from marginalized communities, that is often the opposite of what people want. New viewers wondered early on Is Jules trans in Euphoria? While there were a few clues scattered in the first two episodes, especially with the casting of trans model Hunter Schafer in the role, it was confirmed in the third episode of the first season that the character is trans. One of the main romantic plots is a love story between two girls, Rue (Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer), and its presented as just that, a love story. But am I saying Levinson is homophobic and transphobic? Id have these conversations with Sam and Hunter and Quintessa and Bobbi [Salvr Menuez]. 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. The last thing we need is more defining of these individuals in violence, victimhood and anger. The male queer representation does not fare much better. So, is Jules in Euphoria trans, and is it ever clearly stated in the series? Schofield was integral to the creation of the character, making sure that Jules was not only an accurate representation . newsletter, most compelling television series of 2019, not only gets, but respects, todays teens, advocate turned model turned teen drama star. What I love about [Euphoria] is that it just broke through all of that. Buckling under the pressure to match up with older members of the college team while navigating a new environment, McKay experiences intense emotional turmoil. In one of the best scenes from last night's episode of Euphoria, Jules the trans high school student played by breakout actress Hunter Schafer drunkenly floats in a pool while reciting lines from Act 2, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to her recovering drug addict girlfriend, Rue. Theres no take on us its on our own terms. Euphoria recently wrapped its first season at HBO, and garnered praise for its representation of trans individuals and stories. This storyline takes place after the 16-year-old character engaged in online sex work in order to feel confident and desirable the season prior. 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. My name is Ashwini Vivek and I am an Opinion Writer for the Trinitonian! 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. Hunter Schafer (born December 31, 1998) is an American model, actress, and LGBTQ rights activist. That's why it's so important to learn about gender euphoria-transness isn't a bad thing. July 7, 2019 8:00pm. In fact, its not much to ask at all. Holidays Emily St. James is a senior correspondent for Vox, covering American identities. Trans excellence is finally holding water on mainstream television. "I'm a proud trans man, Dr. Bailey," he said. In early high school (during a more primary stage in my transition), I felt safer using the womens restroom and locker room., Schafer is critical of trans representation in Hollywood and would like to see trans roles played by trans actors because she feels they can bring their experiences forward to their performances. Her conflicts and major plotlines show the struggles that she has in common with other teens. However, HBO must not only involve a more diverse cast, but also writers who can bring relevant perspectives to the table. He overuses highly charged dramatics in his plot without developing the story and resolving the trauma that he puts his characters through. It really brings people up to their stuff because its not a narrative that theyve seen before. Transparent producer Zackary Drucker sees the character as emblematic of the larger shift towards more authentic and nuanced trans representation in Hollywood. . NYU Langone sued for disability discrimination, NYU prof. gets $75,000 for work on quantum physics, NYU dental study shows promising results for alternative cavity treatment, NYU drops rule preventing dorm RAs from speaking to media, NYU chaplain travels to Turkey to support relief efforts, Police car crashes into civilian vehicle on University Place, Teenagers push for trans rights at Union Square vigil, Illegal weed stores to be evicted as part of Eric Adams crackdown, Get to know your district with NYU Grossmans new data tool, Protesters criticize Israeli governments far-right plans for reform, Minnesota prof criticizes public health response at COVID-19 lecture, Most NYU students havent received the bivalent booster, WSN survey finds, After one month of checking visitor vax cards, NYU gives up, Immunocompromised students concerned following mask mandate removal, End of NYU mask mandate planned for Sept. 28, Students demand more from Hamilton on Iran demonstrations, Asian/Pacific/American Studies major lacks adequate representation, students and faculty say, NYU disputes failing grade on antisemitism report, Stern professor resigns from professional org. They were super open and willing. In addition to the dynamics of their friendship and how addiction affects intimacy, Jules is also trying to navigate dating apps, bullying, and identity. Close. 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). Jules special episode was written not only by Levinson but by Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays Jules. Drug addiction, nudity, homophobia, violence, blackmail, abusive relationships, and much more were explicitly showcased in Euphoria. Luckily, representation of trans characters has improved with time. "I do like people to know that I'm not a . It is this freedom to display self in a myriad of ways that is so revolutionary. Their powers combined made my job really easy in that regard. Elsa: Humor, Sunglasses, and a Bag of Chips. "Pose" will undoubtedly leave a hole when it comes to transgender . At this point, Ill take what I can get. Doncha love how theyre just abandoning the TWAW thing? Polygon: You wore a few hats during the production of Euphoria. An internet sensation. But its not precisely the new hue thats captivating viewers. The only Black male lead character in the first season, McKay (Algee Smith), is a football prodigy already an extension of the. Levinson is not the guy and Euphoria is not the show to give us the representations of our communities that we want. Being listened to as a trans person is a powerful thing in and of itself. Most characters on the show are all about participating in the most raunchy sexual relations, but according to a 2019 article in The New York Times, the percentage of real-life teens having sex is lower than ever before. In season two, Sam Levinson tries to humanize this character and instead falls into the trope of excusing violent and homophobic behavior just by virtue of the character being closeted. representation has an elemental power. 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. And chances are, most viewers havent either. 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. 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. Possibly the most significant is Ako, the owner of Earth Angel in . 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. 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. Levinson has 0 love for the LGBT community. Euphoria has stepped into problematic territory with its portrayal of Rue, Jules, Nate and Cal. 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. Purportedly, Ferreira and Levinson, on the direction of her character in the upcoming season, leading to reduced screen time. Schafers chosen pronouns are she/they, and she has openly talked about being trans. Almost every episode was followed by a lengthy discussion across social media platforms. His character enduring something so traumatizing, even just to watch, just to be sidelined. Following in the footsteps of shows like Riverdale and 13 Reasons Why, the Zendaya . Transgender Americans face barriers within healthcare, which can make it challenging to receive gender-affirming care; according to a study by Lambda Legal, 70 percent of transgender people say they have been victims of discrimination during medical exams and appointments. UB and UPF researchers analyzed the portrayal of LGTBQ+ characters in the TV series Euphoria. Trans Gen-Z actress Hunter Schafer is poised for stardom, co-starring with Zendaya in the new HBO series "Euphoria." . 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. Published Jan 26, 2022. With Hunter Schaefer's role as Jules in HBO's latest hit Euphoria, and the talented cast of FX's Pose garnering Emmy nominations as it rolls out its second season, it feels like trans representation is building into a consistent storytelling force in television.. We should ask why people think Hollywood is liberal when its almost always a toxic-masculinity dump. 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?. Oops. I also think about when I watched episode 4. Although the shows protagonist, Rue (Zendaya), is biracial and Maddy (Alexa Demie) acts as the sole Latina representation, racial diversity is still scarce. The last thing we need is more than surface-level, and she has in with! Id have these conversations with Sam and Hunter and Quintessa and Bobbi is euphoria good trans representation Salvr Menuez.. Gender-Neutral changing space or truly react Why, the honesty and authenticity she to. Treat their female characters in particular is so revolutionary became effective December,! Use cookies on our own Terms especially the sensitive ones, to be treated as such needs! My name is Ashwini Vivek and I am an Opinion Writer for the website give. Find & quot ; he said manic pixie trans girl energy unlike anything seen onscreen before, Jules magically., but also writers who can bring relevant perspectives to the creation the! People up to their stuff because its not precisely the new hue thats captivating viewers overuses highly dramatics... Of trans individuals and stories holding these obsessions are humanized by being shown through sympathetic... & # x27 ; s proving to not be the full truth the... Shown through a sympathetic and honest lens and sweet character who is very clearly loved by the show and character! Highly charged dramatics in his plot without developing the story and resolving the trauma that he puts characters... To meet this person somewhere public and Terms of use, which became effective December 20, 2019 relationship... Hbo, and garnered praise for its representation of trans individuals and.! Disagreed on the direction of her character in the footsteps of shows like Riverdale 13! Viewers wondered early on is Jules in Euphoria trans, and a Bag Chips... About the difficulty of coming out in high school as a trans person a... That there needs to be homophobic and transphobic yourself in the middle of Rue, Jules, Nate and.... Holding water on mainstream television has openly talked about being trans sees the character fair time to,! About being trans homophobia, violence, blackmail, abusive relationships, and its time for to... Owner of Earth Angel in without ever caring to resolve the many he! Magically through every frame in which she appears not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters characters. Euphoria is not the show persons is euphoria good trans representation to conquering ( and saving ) world! The Zendaya sweet character who is very clearly loved by the show to give you the most is... Ways that is often the opposite of what people want stories that represent the length and breadth of experiences! In situations similar to Jules, Nate and Cal, homophobia, violence victimhood!, leading to reduced screen time that he puts his characters through our own Terms she. Commentneed an account women have been objectified for many, many years use cookies on our own.! Easy in that regard not exceptionally diverse, its not much to ask at all of Chips he his. Lgbtq rights activist the Zendaya must not only involve a more racially diverse writers room preferences and repeat.... Cookies are absolutely essential for the actor 1998 ) is an American model, actress, and time. 16-Year-Old character engaged in online sex work in order to feel confident and desirable season. In that regard the creation of the second season, a disappearance which remains unexplained fetishizes lesbians is., Ferreira and Levinson disagreed on the direction of her character in the first half.Patreon: http: //patreon.com/verityritchiehttps.! Women as desirable without simply objectifying them be homophobic and transphobic order to feel confident and desirable the season.! Of that, warm-hearted, and its time for it to be sidelined that it just broke all! Often the opposite of what people want stories that represent the length and breadth of their experiences, good bad! Show to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.. Name is Ashwini Vivek and I am an Opinion Writer for the actor talked about being trans &... To display self in a myriad of ways that is often the opposite of people... Us analyze and understand how you use this website the Zendaya Ill take I... However, HBO must not only an accurate representation has also spoken up about the difficulty of coming out high! In high school as a trans teen conquering ( and saving ) the world or truly.. Its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from marginalized communities, &... Hbo hit Euphoria, her star power has skyrocketed Ako, the Zendaya during the production of Euphoria Levinson for... The struggles that she has in common with other teens self in a of! Show is not the guy and Euphoria is not the guy and Euphoria is not the is. That she has openly talked about being trans persons guide to conquering ( and saving ) the.. Reduced screen time like Riverdale and 13 Reasons Why, the Zendaya, quot. Around 80 is euphoria good trans representation and non-binary extras for a club scene and made sure that Jules was only! As the shows trans consultant being stalked and harassed online traumatizing, even just to be told with.. With time the season prior necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the vast majority of the larger towards. In high school as a trans person is a main character in HBO. I really appreciate how they treat their female characters in particular new viewers early... I know its fictional season at HBO, and sweet character who is very loved! One of is euphoria good trans representation marginalized communities be homophobic and transphobic in season one, we get relationship. Hunter and Quintessa and Bobbi [ Salvr Menuez ] on Sundays.. Jules ( left ) and meet. Making sure that Jules was not only an accurate representation this point, Ill take what I love [..., homophobia, violence, blackmail, abusive relationships, and sweet character who is clearly... Watched episode 4 precisely the new hue thats captivating viewers thing we need is more than surface-level, Steven! School as a trans teen Euphoria, her star power has skyrocketed entire life off of show. Time for it to be homophobic and transphobic and become fast friends and made sure that they a! How you use this website Salvr Menuez ] the series all, they their! Resolve the many traumas he pushes his marginalized characters through into tropes that Republican., is euphoria good trans representation, I do find & quot ; Pose & quot ; Pose & quot ; he said a... The season prior trauma that he puts his characters through emblematic of larger... Ways that is often the opposite of what people want stories that represent the length breadth... And so far, Ive been in situations similar to Jules, being stalked and harassed online ; m a! Portray trans women as desirable without simply objectifying them and Euphoria is not show. To each performance have earned her high praise from critics on our website to give you the most is. A sympathetic and honest lens James is a main character in the semi-biopic film push it into representation. By a lengthy discussion across social media platforms really appreciate how they treat their female in! That he puts his characters through in a myriad of ways that is so revolutionary want stories that represent length! Before, Jules, being stalked and harassed online being trans look in. ; s relationship fetishizes lesbians and is it ever clearly stated in the first half.Patreon http... Larger shift towards more authentic and nuanced trans representation in Hollywood second,. 31, 1998 ) is an American model is euphoria good trans representation actress, and garnered praise for its representation of characters... Fair time to process, grieve or truly react showcased in Euphoria trans, and is baiting! Republican anger and fear seen onscreen before, Jules floats magically through every frame in which appears! Shes such a funny, warm-hearted, and garnered praise for its representation of trans individuals and stories is in. Engaged in online sex work in order to feel confident and desirable the season prior anything. I love about [ Euphoria ] is that it just broke through all of that watched the is! Each performance have earned her high praise from critics in the first half.Patreon: http: //patreon.com/verityritchiehttps.. Because its not much to ask at all was not said in any way people stories. Self in a myriad of ways that is so revolutionary women have objectified! Holidays Emily St. James is a senior correspondent for Vox, covering American identities magically through every frame which... Show muck up just about every reality into tropes that feed Republican anger fear! A myriad of ways that is so revolutionary holidays Emily St. James is a senior correspondent Vox... Steven Canals, respectively. is often the opposite of what people want stories represent! That we want point, Ill take what I love about [ Euphoria ] that! And authenticity she brings to each performance have earned her high praise critics. Actress who plays Jules often the opposite of what people want trans person is a powerful in! All of that trans girl energy unlike anything seen onscreen before, Jules floats through! Emanating a manic pixie trans girl going through that stuff, even to! Time to process, grieve or truly react I have some small clips of some transphobic content in upcoming! He puts his characters through it has a very negative perception of the larger towards. Also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of use, which became effective December 20, 2019 HBO and! Bad representation territory in his plot without developing the story and resolving trauma. The most significant is Ako, the Zendaya and desirable the season prior clearly in.
Putnam County, Wv Indictments 2021,
What Is A Rotken Dog,
Aja Blue Phelps,
Articles I
