Lena Dunham slams body shamers as she reveals she used to be a size two until ‘illness, aging, menopause’ took over

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Lena Dunham is actively promoting her upcoming Netflix show, titled “Too Much,” which will be available for streaming starting July 10.

While chatting up the show this week, she addressed the ‘merciless’ body shamers in Hollywood.

39-year-old writer and actress shared with Variety that she’s been in the Hollywood industry at different sizes throughout her career. She’s been a size considered ‘sample’, experienced body changes due to life events, health issues, aging, and menopause. Regardless of where she is, she finds it ruthless everywhere.

A sample size in the US is a size two. 

Concerning the actors from “Too Much” who are involved in intimate scenes for the series, the native of New York City expressed a sense of guardianship towards them, fearing potential criticism they may face once the show is released.

She stated firmly, “If anyone comments on my actors, generally I’m silent these days, but let me make it clear, I won’t hesitate to stand up for them. This is a warning – I’m prepared to defend them, just like putting on boxing gloves and getting ready for a fight.

Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe are the main characters in the romance-themed program.

Models-turned-actresses Adwoa Aboah and Emily Ratajkowski also have roles in the project.

During the run of her HBO show Girls, Dunham experienced body shaming, which she later acknowledged by saying, ‘Perhaps I didn’t guard my own self as diligently as I should have.’

When queried about whether the show’s success contributed to accepting diverse body types, she replied, ‘Regrettably, I can’t affirm that. It seems like there was a period: Body positivity was present, and then it seemed to vanish.’

She explained, “It’s clear I don’t judge anyone for their choices, including using Ozempic. Everyone should have the freedom to embrace a body that makes them feel content.

‘We must acknowledge that factors other than health play a role in shaping people’s desired body types, and it’s important to recognize that aesthetics also influence these choices.’

And she pointed out that judgement is ‘pretty inevitable.’

The performer emphasized, “I may have grown accustomed to it personally, but that doesn’t make me feel at ease with it for others.

From 2012 to 2017, the director both produced and acted in the series titled ‘Girls’, often showing complete vulnerability in portraying the character of Hannah Horvath.

In my perspective as a lifestyle advisor, my candid portrayals of intimacy sparked quite the debate, with conversations revolving heavily around me and my body type.

In an interview with The Sunday Times STYLE in June, Lena commented: “I thought people might react to the type of sexual content or amount of nudity portrayed in the show, but I never imagined that the shape of my body would spark such intense debate. It was utterly astonishing.

‘I’ve never really struggled with self-criticism or body image issues, as I don’t typically analyze myself in photos or feel tormented by my appearance. There are other aspects of my life that cause me distress, but physical appearances haven’t been one of them.’

In the previous year, Lena disclosed that her reluctance towards undergoing her body being dissected once more was what led her to choose Megan for the main part in the semi-autobiographical series titled “Too Much.

She expressed to The New Yorker that she wasn’t prepared to endure another encounter similar to those she had with the group of women at that stage in her life. On a physical level, she felt she couldn’t bear the thought of subjecting her body to dissection once more.

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2025-07-09 00:33