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.

Barbie Ferreira is seen in a photo, dated December 13, 2024 | Source: Instagram/barbieferreira
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.

Barbie Ferreira is seen in a photo, dated December 13, 2024 | Source: Instagram/barbieferreira
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.”

Barbie Ferreira is seen in a photo, dated October 16, 2024 | Source: Instagram/barbieferreira
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]!”

Barbie Ferreira is seen in a photo, dated December 5, 2024 | Source: Instagram/barbieferreira
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].”

Barbie Ferreira on April 20, 2022, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
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].”

Barbie Ferreira is seen in a photo, dated December 5, 2024 | Source: Instagram/barbieferreira
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.
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.
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.

Barbie Ferreira on April 20, 2022, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
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.

Actress Barbara Ferreira on July 25, 2019, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
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.

Actress Barbara Ferreira on July 25, 2019, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
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.

Barbie Ferreira is seen in a photo, dated May 11, 2022 | Source: Instagram/barbieferreira
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.

Barbie Ferreira and Alexa Demie on April 20, 2022, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
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.”

Barbie Ferreira on April 20, 2022, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
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.

Barbie Ferreira in Los Angeles, California, on June 4, 2019 | Source: Getty Images