Yellowjackets Star Liv Hewson Shuts Down Critics of Top Surgery

Liv Hewson, the nonbinary star of Showtime's Yellowjackets, has fired back at critics of their gender-affirming top surgery who view the procedure as a form of "mutilation."

In a new interview with Teen Vogue, the Australian performer shared that they feel "more alive than ever" after undergoing the procedure last year, and added that "it’s the longest I’ve ever thought about doing anything.”

Hewson then took a moment to dismantle the criticism surrounding the surgery: "It's really misogynistic: 'These girls couldn't possibly make this decision correctly and will need to be stopped from doing terrible things to their bodies,'".

"When people talk about gender-affirming surgery using words like 'mutilation,' that's not very nice," they continued. "Is that how you think about people who've had surgery for other things?"

The 27-year-old star also took issue with the idea that people will regret getting top surgery.

"Is the idea that nobody ever feels regret about anything?" Hewson said. "Aside from the fact that we have complete statistical information about regret rates of gender-affirming surgery and this is an absolute nonstarter, what? Are you also going to legislate against people getting tattoos?"

"It's just control: 'I want you to make decisions based on my level of comfort with your existence.' That is completely irrational," they added.

Hewson plays teenager Vanessa "Van" Palmer in Yellowjackets, which has been renewed for a third season. Earlier this year, Hewson joined a number of other performers in opting out of Emmys consideration due to gendered acting categories. "I can’t submit myself for this because there’s no space for me,” they told Variety.

Discussing their own gender identity, Hewson shared a message of affirmation with Teen Vogue. "This is who I am," they said, "and that’s actually wonderful. Not only is it not a problem, it’s a good thing, and it deserves space. I deserve to be in the world as much as anybody else; so do all nonbinary and trans people.”