Lena Dunham has spoken out about the online criticism she has faced following her recent weight loss. The 30-year-old actress and activist, known for championing body positivity, appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to address the backlash.
During the interview, host Ellen DeGeneres commented on Dunham's changed appearance before asking about the negative reaction online. Dunham revealed that she had been called a “hypocrite” for losing weight, despite her longstanding advocacy for women of all shapes and sizes.
Dunham explained that she had spent years being subjected to hurtful comments about her weight, such as being called “bag of milk” or “baby cow”. She said she never felt self-conscious about those remarks, adding: “Anyone who’s going to take the time to say something negative about my weight on the internet wasn’t someone I was particularly keen to impress anyway.”
The Girls creator attributed her weight loss to her ongoing battle with endometriosis, a condition that has forced her to exercise more. She expressed frustration at the criticism, stating: “I thought you were a person who embraced bodies of all sizes… I do, I just also understand that bodies change, we live a long time, things happen.”
Dunham concluded that the backlash was evidence that “as a woman in Hollywood, you just can’t win”.
