Lena Dunham reflects on the ‘insane’ public discourse around her body in nude scenes on Girls as she says she’s lucky that her thing was ‘never to look at a picture of myself and pick it apart’

Lena Dunham has recently reminisced about the frenzy of public debate over her physique during her naked moments on her show, Girls.

The actress-director, aged 39, developed and played a leading role in the critically acclaimed HBO series from 2012 to 2017, often showing full nudity as her character Hannah Horvath to capture the groundbreaking sexual scenes on screen.

Nevertheless, the open portrayals of sexuality sparked significant debate during that period, focusing notably on Lena’s figure and her physical appearance, even drawing harsh criticism from Internet bullies.

In a recent chat, the celebrity acknowledged being taken aback by the intense fascination surrounding her physique, expressing gratitude that it didn’t impact her as severely as it potentially could have.

In conversation with The Sunday Times STYLE, Lena expressed her surprise: “I thought people might react to the explicit content or amount of nudity in the show, but never imagined that my physical appearance, particularly the shape of my body, would spark such intense debate. It’s absolutely mind-boggling.

‘I haven’t spent much time critiquing my appearance or feeling troubled by it, unlike some people; instead, I focus on other issues that bother me. My self-image is not something I struggle with in the same way others might.’

She mentioned that we’re currently experiencing a time when Ozempic (a medication) is widely prevalent, which seems to have overshadowed or diminished the body positive movement.

Previously, Lena disclosed that her wish to avoid having her body analyzed once more was the primary motivation behind choosing Megan Stalter for the main part in the forthcoming semi-autobiographical series, Too Much. This production will be available on Netflix starting July 10.

When discussing with The New Yorker in July, she explained that at that stage of her life, she wasn’t prepared for another kind of experience similar to what she had gone through during the making of “Girls.

I found the prospect of undergoing another body dissection too taxing on me physically. Making the decision not to cast Meg was difficult, as I truly desired her for the role, but acknowledging this fact to myself was necessary.

In my previous understanding, triumph was synonymous with relentless pursuit without regard for others’ opinions. However, I’ve come to realize that true victory lies in safeguarding oneself and persisting in actions essential for continued progress.

Instead of Megan, she admired the actress, remarking: “When I gaze at Meg, I find myself thinking, ‘You are my inspiration. You motivate me daily to write endless pages when I get home.'” Undoubtedly, she doesn’t aspire to serve as her own source of inspiration.

The story primarily focuses on the character Jessica, who, upon relocating from New York to North London, develops affection for a British musician named Felix (played by Will Sharpe).

Besides being a resident of New York, Lena has experienced a split with musician Jack Antonoff, followed by a move to London. There, she tied the knot with British-Peruvian musician Luis Felber, who shares credit for composing and creating the band Too Much.

The eight-time Emmy nominee admitted, “I didn’t expect a leading role. From the start, I knew I wouldn’t be the main focus.

I’ve been pondering over the question: Why is it that complex female characters on television are accepted, recognized, and empathized with by audiences?

Meg exudes a warm, inviting aura that I believe significantly endears her to others. Instead of giving off a “resting bitch face,” she embodies what could be described as a “resting friendly demeanor.

Instead, she made it clear that the central theme of the show doesn’t revolve around a plus-sized woman seeking romance; rather, her body shape is not essential to the narrative’s progression.

Lena clarified: ‘Meg is among the attractive ladies on duty today. She’s incredibly captivating. It’s worth noting that her body type, whether not a size 0 or not belonging to the latest group of women who have lost weight using Ozempic, is irrelevant…’

It’s crucial for me that a romantic relationship between a man and a woman isn’t influenced by her size, as this aspect should not be a determining factor in their connection.

We made it clear that we didn’t want the story to appear as if it was a production about a handsome man granting a favor to someone.

Later, it was disclosed that Lena found difficulty handling her recurring nude appearances in Girls during the progression of the series.

In 2016, when speaking to Refinery29 before the last season of the show, she openly shared that the intense criticism and focus on her physique had impacted her feelings about baring it all on screen.

She admitted, “At the beginning of the program, I didn’t have a partner, my identity was unknown to others, and I was simply focused on my job, living for the sake of my profession.

When I chose to appear unclothed on camera, it felt like a natural progression. At the time, I hadn’t anticipated that during the initial season, television critics and online viewers would be witnessing this moment.

‘Now, for better or worse, when I take my clothes off, I already can hear the din of the reaction.’

She mentioned that both external factors influencing her perspective and the passage of time, particularly her growing older, have contributed to a shift in her views on nudity.

Lena stated, “As I grow older, I find myself becoming more humble. However, Hannah Horvath sometimes doesn’t provide room for that modesty. I plan to bring back some of her bold nudity in the final season with enthusiasm.

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2025-06-30 18:22