Hunter Schafer, the 23-year-old actress most known for her role in HBO's popular high school drama Euphoriaand her portrayal of Tigris Snow in the recently-released Hunger Games prequelThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is an icon in her own right, helping bring some majorly-needed transgender representation in Hollywood.
During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote the buzzy Hunger Games film, Schafer opneed up about how much she already loved and was a fanb of the multimedia franchise, sharing a throwback picture of herself in a Capitol-themed Halloween costume from her youth. Now that she's starring in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, it's a full-circle moment for her since she is currently playing a Capitol citizen in the new film.
"This is really cool!" Fallon told her during her appearance on the show. "Now you're in Hunger Games! Congratulations, bud!"
But Fallon's use of the term "bud" sparked criticism on social media, with some fans expressing dismay at the traditionally male-coded language.
One individual on X (formerly Twitter) remarked: "‘Bud’ is NOT gender neutral. I have never heard anybody refer to a grown ass woman as ‘bud’ before. I hate Jimmy Fallon so much."
In Fallon’s defense, others pointed out that he has used the term "bud" for various guests, including cisgender women.
Schafer didn't seem bothered by Fallon's comment during her appearance on The Tonight Show.
Catch The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in cinemas now.
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