@pinknews: Fans have expressed dismay after Jimmy Fallon called trans actress Hunter Schafer “bud” live on air. Jimmy Fallon used the informal noun while talking to Schafer, on The Tonight Show on Friday (31 October), about her performance as Tigris Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. He showed a picture of her as a child, pre-transition, wearing a costume inspired by the books on which the films are based. He then compared it with a still of her in the film, saying: “Congratulations, bud.” His use of the word prompted criticism from several trans people online including journalist India Willoughby, who asked: “Why are you calling her ‘bud’? Expect better.” The word is an informal shortening of “buddy”, meaning friend or companion. Many consider it to be traditionally masculine and used to address only men and boys. #hunterschafer #jimmyfallon #tonightshow #transwoman #buddy

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Tuesday 04 November 2025 12:07:00 GMT