Late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon has found himself amidst a social media controversy following an interview with transgender actor Hunter Schafer. During an episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” the host’s casual use of the term “bud” sparked backlash from Schafer’s supporters.
Schafer, known for her role in “Euphoria,” appeared on Fallon’s show to discuss her involvement in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” The 24-year-old actor, assigned male at birth and now identifying as female, shared her long-time admiration for “The Hunger Games” series. The interview took a turn when Fallon showed the audience a photo of Schafer’s Halloween costume inspired by the series and responded to her excitement with, “Oh bud, it’s unbelievable!”
This seemingly innocuous remark has since been criticized by some viewers who feel that the term “bud” is not gender-inclusive and carries masculine connotations. The contentious exchange became the subject of a viral, now-deleted tweet, where a viewer expressed indignation, which then triggered a wave of similar sentiments across social media platforms.
Commentary flooded in, with some users suggesting that Fallon’s language reflects a lack of recognition for Schafer’s gender identity. Others pointed out that while some may use “bud” in a gender-neutral manner, it is predominantly directed towards men and can be considered dismissive when used for transgender women.
This isn’t the first time Fallon’s informal language has been noted; he has previously addressed Ariana Grande as “pal” and referred to Jennifer Lawrence, star of the original “Hunger Games” movies, as “dude” and “man.”
As the conversation around appropriate language continues to evolve, this incident underscores the broader societal discourse on gender identity and the importance of language that respects and acknowledges each individual’s self-identification. The dialogue emerging from this episode reflects a growing public awareness and the ongoing debate over the nuances of gendered language in media.