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. 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. Still, the majority of the cast is white, and some of the shows non-white fans want a more racially diverse main cast. 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. 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. Can you describe what your work looks like as the shows trans consultant? Jules transition journey isnt seen in the series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of the show. 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. Please check your email to find a confirmation email, and follow the steps to confirm your humanity. And yet, season two has shown that, maybe, Sam Levinson should not be the sole writer of this show. So yeah, objectify us.. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Jul 15, 2019 1,662. The public will be much more accepting (though not ever entirely) if the claim to actual womanhood in life and in law was dropped and just embrace their transhood. 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. Jules, the new kid at East Highland, is introduced to us at a house party gone awry when she runs into the schools jock, Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi). mental health. However, HBO must not only involve a more diverse cast, but also writers who can bring relevant perspectives to the table. Contact Srishti Bungle at[emailprotected]. Ad Choices, Before the show started I was worried because a lot of transgender characters in the media are represented horribly. Levinson does not give the character fair time to process, grieve or truly react. Despite the popularity of Euphoria, the HBO show suffers for its lack of non-exploitative representation. Possibly the most significant is Ako, the owner of Earth Angel in . The show's graphic depiction of sexual activity couldn't be further from the truth. In terms of representing the LGBTQ+ community, Euphoria receives full marks as it is a pinnacle of positive representation. Rue was concerned for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public. 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. 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Kira. 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. An internet sensation. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. Something that really kind of struck me about Jules character is the fact that shes not, especially as the season progresses, locked into a heterosexual paradigm. 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. This enablement of stereotypes extends to Kat (Barbie Ferreira). Oops. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. In an uncharacteristically safe move for Soloway, Josh balks at following through with a sexual relationship after finding out Shea is HIV-positive. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. I felt really protective of the [trans extras] and was worried that someone was going to misgender them and things were going to become problematic. The violence and lack of help that the protagonist, Brandon Teena, dealt with is nightmarish for most trans men. Although many are appalled (myself included) by its graphic nature, it cannot be denied that the series paints a deeply authentic picture of queer people in a way that many shows have been unable to capture. Since Hunter Schafer stepped into the spotlight playing Jules in the HBO hit Euphoria, her star power has skyrocketed. Before she joined Vox in 2014, she was the first TV editor of . Despite her struggle to find loving connections and the harassment shes faced, Jules is shown to remain a big-hearted and kind character. 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. Levinson does not give the character fair time to process, grieve or truly react. Mirror, mirror on the wall. The Yakuza series has multiple trans characters, mainly women. Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment. While there is a demand for a more racially diverse cast, it means that there needs to be a racially diverse writers room. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. It has a very negative perception of the LGBT community. 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 Its shown in the series that her mother was unsupportive when Jules was struggling with dysphoria and even committed her to a psychiatric ward when she was only 11. 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. It does not store any personal data. That makes Euphoria the first onscreen depiction of a trans-amorous male gaze. Purportedly, Ferreira and Levinson disagreed on the direction of her character in the upcoming season, leading to reduced screen time. It might be hard to believe, but . 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. That makes Euphoria the first trans show to employ a straight male gaze, the term coined by Laura Mulvey and popularized by Soloway. A high femme newcomer in town, Jules . 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. There are even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments in episodes where we see her inject hormones or swipe on gay dating apps. Taylor Swift Tarot Will Help You Understand Your Beautiful Ghosts. Your email address will not be published. Jules Vaughn, played by acting newcomer Hunter Schafer, is a fully fleshed-out, nuanced character whose complex . The typical narrative element of transgender representation in thrillers is that these characters are framed through the pathologizing lens of criminal deviance: just as popular as the comic image of the "man in a dress" is the trans killer, popularized by movies such as Psycho, Dressed to Kill, and the Oscar-winning The Silence of the Lambs. 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. The only confirmed gay male character comes in the form of a violent, predatory middle-aged man, who hoards videos filmed nonconsensually. Though the show is not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from other marginalized communities. Can bring relevant perspectives to the table be the sole writer of this show of stereotypes extends Kat. Has a very negative perception of the cast is white, and some the... 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