Lena Dunham is getting candid about body shaming and how it’s followed her at every stage of her career. In a new interview with Variety, published Tuesday (July 8), the 39-year-old writer and actress didn’t hold back.
“I have been in Hollywood at every size. I have been a sample size, I have had my body change because of life, illness, aging, menopause. And it is merciless wherever you are,” Lena said.
While Lena has grown more comfortable in her own skin, she feels society hasn’t necessarily made the same progress.
“I think we had this moment: Body positivity was here, and then it was gone,” she reflected.
She also acknowledged that she supports people who choose to use trending weight loss medications if it helps them feel better about their bodies. Still, she believes it’s important to stay honest about the motives behind these choices. “But we cannot pretend that the bodies people want aren’t influenced, and we can’t claim it’s always for health reasons and not for aesthetic reasons.”
Even though Lena accepts that body shaming may be inevitable in Hollywood, she draws the line when it comes to her own cast and crew.
“If anybody has anything to say about any of my actors—I keep my mouth shut on most things these days but try a b—-,” she said. “I’m not playing around here. It’s the only time that I’m going to be taking my hoops out, ready to fight.”
Lena’s take is clear: body autonomy matters, honesty matters, and no one deserves to feel less than—no matter what size they are.
