A rising star’s latest look ahead of a major Broadway debut has fans doing a double take—and they can’t stop talking about it.

On Friday, December 13, Ferreira posted a series of photos on Instagram, giving fans a glimpse into her preparations for the big night. The 28-year-old actress, who celebrated her birthday on December 14, appeared confident and radiant in a sleek, all-black ensemble.

Ferreira donned a stylish asymmetrical black top that wrapped elegantly across her torso, paired with fitted black trousers that accentuated her toned silhouette. The outfit’s unique structure highlighted her waist while offering a modern, edgy vibe. Her glossy dark hair flowed naturally, styled into a simple, loose look, complementing the minimalistic yet chic outfit.

In one photo, Ferreira posed playfully against a doorway, one arm stretched upwards, exuding confidence and ease. Another image showcased her leaning lightly against a wall, playfully lifting one leg to flaunt her strappy black heels. A third shot captured her with a joyful expression, her arm raised as she posed beside various memorabilia and decorations, including a collage of inspirational notes and photos.

The actress captioned the post with excitement, “WE OPEN TONIGHT thank you to the most amazing cast and crew for making cult of love the most special experience of my life. here’s to a sexyyy bway debut [sic].”

Following Ferreira’s Instagram post, fans took to the comment section to share a mix of admiration, surprise, and personal reflections.

One user wrote, “man she’s so unrecognizable these days I didn’t even realize it was her. Absolutely stunning as always [sic].” Another fan added, “Wow. You look incredible. Wow.”

A surprised commenter exclaimed, “WHAT DID YOU DO ?!!!” Another follower shared their excitement, “I’m about to faint.” One comment read, “Omg you look fab!” Defending Ferreira, a fan wrote, “Why can’t yall be happy that she’s blossomed [sic]!”

Reflecting on Ferreira’s impact, a user shared a heartfelt message, “I grew up thinking I was too big. And you changed my life in your role in [‘Euphoria’] and what beauty is. I know you’re obviously thinner now but just know you changed the perspective and are still beautiful no matter what. Love you and hope you succeed at everything you do in life. No matter how you look. You’re an inspiration.”

Another user responded to critics, writing, “not all the overweight girls in the comment mad cos barbie lost weight [sic].” Calling out negativity, someone commented, “The jealousy is showing in these comments. People are allowed to lose weight y’all are weirdos [sic].”

Lastly, a user reflected on Ferreira’s career transition, stating, “They ruined her character in euphoria. I’m glad she’s moving on and doing other things. But her losing weight is good for her if that’s what she wants to do [sic].”

The varied reactions highlight both the admiration and the broader conversations sparked by Ferreira’s transformation, as fans continue to follow her evolving career and personal journey.

Ferreira is an American actress and model, celebrated for both her talent and advocacy for body positivity. Born in Queens, New York, she later moved to Maywood, New Jersey, where she attended Hackensack High School.

Raised in a Brazilian household by her mother and grandmother, Ferreira’s upbringing played a significant role in shaping her strong and independent persona. Her mother, a chef, supported Ferreira’s ambitions, which eventually led her to pursue a career in modeling.

Ferreira’s rise began when she took the initiative of submitting her photos to American Apparel. While working in one of their retail stores, she simultaneously modeled for the brand, kickstarting her career.

Over the years, Ferreira became a sought-after model, collaborating with major brands like Aerie, Adidas, Asos, Forever 21, H&M, Missguided, and Target. In 2016, her campaign with Aerie—featuring unretouched photos—went viral, earning her widespread acclaim. That same year, Time magazine included her in their “30 Most Influential Teens” list.

Beyond modeling, Ferreira transitioned into hosting and acting, showcasing her versatility. She starred in Vice’s 10-episode series “How to Behave,” where she explored themes like sex, money, and body image.

The series earned her a Webby Award nomination for “Best Web Personality/Host.” She also featured in Teen Vogue’s “Body Party” series, guiding viewers through her journey of body positivity and self-love.

Ferreira’s most notable acting role came in HBO’s critically acclaimed series “Euphoria.” She portrayed Kat Hernandez, a teen navigating self-discovery and empowerment in a complex, coming-of-age world. Starring alongside Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, and Jacob Elordi, Ferreira’s character resonated deeply with audiences for its authentic representation of teenage struggles and identity.

The show centers on Rue Bennett (played by Zendaya), a young drug addict fresh out of rehab, as she tries to make sense of her life while forging connections, particularly with Jules Vaughn (Schafer), a trans girl who brings unexpected change to Rue’s world.

Ferreira’s portrayal of Kat cemented her reputation as both an actress and a role model. Her work in “Euphoria” highlighted her ability to balance vulnerability and strength, earning her a devoted fanbase and critical praise.

Ferreira has never shied away from difficult conversations about body image, self-love, and societal standards. In an exclusive March 2022 interview, Ferreira shared her perspective on the evolving narrative around confidence and body positivity.

“Maybe not in the right ways,” Ferreira cautioned, referring to society’s self-awareness regarding body representation. “I think bigger bodies are not as ‘trendy’ as they used to be, which is really sad to me. But it’s more of a conversation of the fact that we all struggle with self-love, and I don’t think any young person has really figured it out yet.”

Having grown up online and existed publicly for most of her adult life, Ferreira acknowledged the pressure of being perceived as someone who has mastered self-love. “It’s so funny that people just assume that. What—did I say that? I never said that. You guys just say that. You posted that on me,” she remarked.

Ferreira’s role as Kat in “Euphoria” further magnified her experiences with societal pressures. The character’s arc, which often highlighted themes of confidence and identity, resonated deeply with viewers.

Ferreira found catharsis in playing Kat, especially during the pandemic. “I feel like I had a lot of things come up emotionally because of the pandemic, and putting some of that into this season was therapeutic for me,” she shared. “I hope other people [watching] can also feel the same way and release the pressure of being perfect and happy all the time. Because that just doesn’t exist.”

The actress also challenged the way confidence is perceived, particularly for plus-size individuals. “It’s not radical for me to be wearing a crop top,” Ferreira said firmly. She explained how backhanded compliments can distort the conversation around self-acceptance, noting that society often fails to recognize the complexities of loving oneself in the face of relentless scrutiny.

Ferreira’s portrayal of Kat was groundbreaking, but her time on “Euphoria” came to an end after the second season. Speaking on the “Armchair Expert” podcast in April 2023, Ferreira described her departure as a “mutual decision” between her and show creator Sam Levinson.

“I think my character, who I love dearly, I don’t think there was a place for her to go,” Ferreira explained. “I think there were places she could have gone. I just don’t think it would have fit into the show. I don’t know if it was going to do her justice, and I think both parties knew that I really wanted to be able to not be the fat best friend. I don’t want to play that, and I think they didn’t want that either.”

Ferreira revealed that while she loved Kat, the process of trying to maintain the character’s arc became challenging during Season 2. She called it as a “struggle for both parties,” sharing, “Sam, me…it was a struggle to find the continuation of her. So that was actually really hurtful watching it and seeing the fans get upset. I just felt like maybe, it’s like I overstayed my welcome a little bit.”

Despite the difficulties, Ferreira’s departure was ultimately freeing. “It obviously hurts, ’cause I love Kat and she’s so important to me, and I think to a lot of people … and it was a character I had never seen on TV before, and I don’t know if we’ll ever get something like that in that specific way,” she said.

Reflecting on Levinson’s writing style, Ferreira added, “Sam writes for, like, things that he relates to. I don’t think he relates to Kat. I like Kat, so I get to go on my own path.”

While initially grappling with doubts, Ferreira ultimately embraced her departure. “At first, I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I’m a flop. I’m a loser.’ Still, the “Unpregnant” star added, “It really has been a good thing.”

Ferreira’s candid reflections shed light on her journey as both an actress and an advocate. From challenging societal expectations to embracing change, her career continues to evolve, with fans following closely along her path.