Tommy Dorfman Reveals Advice She'd Give Younger Self After Breakthrough 13 Reasons Why Fame: 'It's Not Real'

Published: May 27, 2025

Tommy Dorfman, the 33-year-old actress, has shared valuable advice she would give her younger self about navigating fame after her role in the hit series 13 Reasons Why. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Dorfman revealed that she would tell her younger self to "not take it so seriously" and that fame is "seasonal" and "ebbs and flows."

Dorfman, who played high school student Ryan Shaver on the series, recalled feeling "scared for a million different reasons" after the show's release in 2017. She felt ill-prepared for its massive success, saying "nobody told us that they thought the show would be as successful as it was."

The actress also opened up about how it felt to experience instant fame, saying it was "such a scary thing to be thrown into." However, she has since learned to take things less seriously and appreciate the temporary nature of it all.

Dorfman's debut memoir, Maybe This Will Save Me, includes details about how 13 Reasons Why changed her life, including her experiences with instant fame. The book also touches on her struggles with being recognized in public, which made her feel uncomfortable and even ashamed at times.

However, Dorfman has since come to appreciate the attention and is now more than happy to take photos and meet fans. "I'll hug anyone," she said. "I'll take any photo somebody wants me to take. I have no problem with any of that. I think it's so cool now, I'm not scared of it."

Dorfman, who publicly came out as transgender after the series, has gone on to star in various projects on screen and stage, including her Broadway debut in Romeo and Juliet and a role in Lena Dunham's comedy drama Sharp Stick. She is currently working on several projects and is excited about the announcements that will be made in the coming months.

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Tommy Dorfman attends the 2025 Drama League Awards at The Ziegfeld Ballroom on May 16, 2025 in New York City.

Tommy Dorfman attends 'Sunset BLVD' Broadway Opening Night on Oct. 20, 2024 in New York City.

Tommy Dorfman's debut memoir, Maybe This Will Save Me.

Maybe This Will Save Me is out now, wherever books are sold.