Actress and writer Lena Dunham has been a vocal advocate for body positivity throughout her career. She’s also been open about her own struggles with body image and weight. Now, Dunham is sharing a message of self-acceptance and celebrating her weight gain. Let’s dive into her journey and how she’s found joy and freedom in her own skin.

WHO IS LENA DUNHAM?

Lena Dunham is an American writer, director, actress, and producer who’s known for her outspokenness on body positivity.  She rose to fame creating, writing, and starring in the hit HBO series “Girls,” which explored the lives of a group of millennial women navigating love, careers, and self-discovery in New York City. Dunham’s work has been praised for its raw honesty and feminist perspective, but she’s also courted controversy for her willingness to tackle uncomfortable topics.  Through it all, she’s remained a powerful voice for self-acceptance and embracing your body at any size.

IS LENA DUNHAM SPEAKING OUT ABOUT HER WEIGHT ISSUES?

Dunham shared side-by-side photos of herself, one from April 2017 when she had lost a considerable amount of weight, and a recent one where she appears heavier.

In 2017, Dunham was occupied with promoting the final season of her television series while also dealing with serious health problems and chronic pain due to endometriosis.

The star reflects on her smaller frame in the caption by writing, “On the left: 138 pounds, complimented all day and propositioned by men and on the cover of a tabloid about diets that work. Also, sick in the tissue and in the head and subsisting only on small amounts of sugar, tons of caffeine and a purse pharmacy.”

The 32-year-old Golden Globe winner then addresses her weight gain.

“On the right: 162 pounds, happy joyous and free, complimented only by people that matter for reasons that matter, subsisting on a steady flow of fun/healthy snacks and apps and entrees, strong from lifting dogs and spirits,” she writes.

Dunham has always been candid about her struggles with anxiety, depression, and OCD. During an appearance on “The View,” she publicly attributed her weight loss to the 2016 election of Donald Trump as President of the United States.

“I know that the right wing media had a field day with that and said, ‘Liberal So Weakened That She Can’t Eat Food Because of Donald Trump,’ but what I was trying to express is this has been triggering for many of us in so many different ways,” she said. “And I know that if I’m not hungry, then we have a real freakin’ problem.”

DOES LENA DUNHAM HAVE ANY MORE HEALTH PROBLEMS?

The star also experienced complications after undergoing an elective hysterectomy to treat her endometriosis and split from her longtime boyfriend, music producer Jack Antonoff. These major life changes are ones that Dunham is still healing from.

“Yes, I am body positive, but I am also a young single woman working in Hollywood, and I can’t just pretend that weight is not a thing. It’s a thing,” Dunham told the publication, before revealing that by the tail-end of her relationship with Antonoff, she had lost a worrying amount of weight “in double digits.”

“Sadness is the only thing that’s ever made me lose weight,” she explained. “Two years ago, during the last gasps of my six-year relationship, I lost weight. Not a little weight. Not the kind of weight where your bras feel kind of generous and you marvel at your subtle but oh-wow-it’s-definitely-there-now clavicle. No, it was a lot of weight.”

Later in her interview with Elle, Dunham also revealed that her weight loss was partially driven by an addiction to prescription drugs — something she went to rehab for. That said, she said that she’s doing a lot better now and uses a food diary to maintain a healthy weight and hold herself accountable, as “accountable people don’t gain thirty pounds in a single month.”

Dunham has previously addressed her dramatic weight loss through a powerful side-by-side Instagram post, showing her at 138 pounds and 162 pounds.

While she wrote that she was “complimented all day and propositioned by men and on the cover of a tabloid about diets that work,” she was also, “sick in the tissue and in the head and subsisting only on small amounts of sugar, tons of caffeine and a purse pharmacy.”

Even this OG body positivity warrior sometimes looks at the left picture longingly, until I remember the impossible pain that brought me there and onto my proverbial knees,” she concluded. “As I type I can feel my back fat rolling up under my shoulder blades. I lean in.”

However, Dunham returned to Instagram several months after her Elle UK interview to say that while she supports the larger movement, she’s “never” actually called her “body positive.”

“Because my relationship with my curves and scars isn’t overtly political — it’s wildly personal,” she wrote in March 2020. “And it isn’t always positive. I take enormous comfort in the body positivity movement, but I think of myself as something more like ‘body tolerant.’

LENA DUNHAM EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Lena Dunham was born in New York City to artist parents, Carroll Dunham, a painter, and Laurie Simmons, an artist and photographer known for using dolls and dollhouse furniture in her work. Her father is Protestant with mostly English ancestry, while her mother is Jewish. Dunham identifies as culturally Jewish, influenced by the poetry of Yehuda Amichai.

Dunham attended Friends Seminary and later transferred to Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, where she met future “Girls” co-star Jemima Kirke. She briefly attended The New School before graduating from Oberlin College in 2008 with a degree in creative writing. Dunham has a younger sibling, Cyrus, a Brown University graduate who appeared in her films “Creative Nonfiction” and “Tiny Furniture.” The siblings were raised in Brooklyn and spent their summers in Salisbury, Connecticut. The Dunham family is related to the prominent Tiffany family of the jewelry trade.

LENA DUNHAM CAREER

Lena Dunham began her career in the film and television industry with a distinctive voice and a penchant for storytelling that drew from her personal experiences. Her first notable work was the semi-autobiographical film “Tiny Furniture” (2010), which she wrote, directed, and starred in. The film garnered critical acclaim and won the Best Narrative Feature award at the South by Southwest Film Festival, effectively launching her career. “Tiny Furniture” also introduced audiences to Dunham’s unique blend of humor and introspection, setting the stage for her future projects.

Dunham’s breakthrough came with the HBO series “Girls,” which premiered in 2012. As the creator, writer, and star of the show, Dunham depicted the lives of four young women navigating adulthood in New York City. “Girls” received widespread acclaim for its raw and honest portrayal of issues such as relationships, career struggles, and mental health. The series earned Dunham several awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. “Girls” ran for six seasons, concluding in 2017, and solidified Dunham’s reputation as a significant voice in contemporary television.

Beyond “Girls,” Dunham has expanded her influence in the entertainment industry through various roles and projects. She directed several episodes of “Girls” and ventured into writing with her memoir “Not That Kind of Girl,” published in 2014. Dunham has also been involved in numerous other creative endeavors, including acting in films like “This Is 40” (2012) and “Happy Christmas” (2014), and producing the HBO series “Camping” (2018). Her work often reflects her commitment to addressing complex and sometimes controversial topics, continuing to spark conversations and inspire audiences.

LENA DUNHAM FILMOGRAPHY

Lena Dunham’s filmography showcases her versatility as an actress, writer, director, and producer. She made her mark in the industry with the critically acclaimed “Tiny Furniture” (2010), a semi-autobiographical film where she portrayed the lead character and also wrote and directed the project. This indie gem served as a launching pad for her career, earning her recognition for her unique storytelling and raw authenticity. Dunham continued to explore her creative talents in various film projects, including “Creative Nonfiction” (2009), “This Is 40” (2012), and “Happy Christmas” (2014), where she displayed her acting prowess alongside her skills behind the camera.

Throughout her career, Dunham has taken on a diverse range of roles, from comedic to dramatic, showcasing her ability to inhabit complex characters with depth and nuance. She has also ventured into voice acting, lending her talents to animated projects like “My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea” (2016) and “Adventure Time” (2014-2016). Dunham’s filmography reflects her commitment to exploring the human experience with honesty and vulnerability, tackling themes such as relationships, identity, and self-discovery.

In recent years, Dunham has expanded her creative horizons with projects like “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019), where she appeared alongside an ensemble cast in Quentin Tarantino’s homage to 1960s Hollywood. She has also delved into writing, producing, and directing with films like “Sharp Stick” (2022) and “Catherine Called Birdy” (2022), further establishing herself as a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry. With each new project, Dunham continues to challenge herself and push boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape.

LENA DUNHAM AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

Lena Dunham’s contributions to the entertainment industry have garnered her recognition and acclaim, as evidenced by the numerous awards and nominations she has received throughout her career. Perhaps most notably, Dunham achieved widespread acclaim for her groundbreaking work on the HBO series “Girls,” which earned her several prestigious accolades. She won two Golden Globe Awards, including Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, for her portrayal of the protagonist Hannah Horvath. Additionally, Dunham received multiple Emmy Award nominations for her roles as a creator, writer, and director on “Girls,” reflecting the show’s impact and influence on contemporary television.

Beyond her work on “Girls,” Dunham’s talents have been celebrated in various capacities across film, television, and literature. She received critical acclaim for her semi-autobiographical film “Tiny Furniture,” which won the Best Narrative Feature award at the South by Southwest Film Festival. Dunham’s memoir, “Not That Kind of Girl,” also received praise and earned her recognition as a talented writer and storyteller.

In addition to her individual accolades, Dunham has been recognized for her contributions to the industry as a whole. She has received honors such as the Vanguard Award from the Sundance Film Festival, which celebrates artists who push the boundaries of creative expression. Dunham’s impact extends beyond her artistic achievements, as she continues to be a trailblazer and advocate for greater diversity and representation in entertainment. Through her work and advocacy, Dunham has left an indelible mark on the industry and continues to inspire audiences around the world.

LENA DUNHAM PERSONAL LIFE

In a series of personal revelations and milestones, Lena Dunham has openly shared her journey through relationships, health struggles, and self-discovery. 

Beginning in 2012, her high-profile relationship with musician Jack Antonoff lasted until December 2017, culminating in an amicable separation. In 2018, she entered rehab for benzodiazepine addiction, marking a pivotal moment in her journey towards sobriety, which she celebrated in April 2020.

In matters of love, Dunham found companionship with musician Luis Felber, whom she began dating in January 2021 after being set up on a blind date. 

Their relationship culminated in marriage in September 2021, celebrated in a Jewish ceremony. Beyond personal revelations, Dunham discovered a familial link to New York City’s history through an episode of Finding Your Roots in 2024, revealing her lineage to Stephanus van Cortlandt, the first native-born mayor of the city.

FAQ

1. Is Lena Dunham promoting weight gain? 

No, it’s not about promoting weight gain, but rather about body positivity and self-acceptance at any size.

2. Are Jack Antonoff and Lena Dunham still friends?

They remain friends after their breakup.

3. How much is Lena Dunham net worth?

12 million dollars.

CONCLUSION

Lena Dunham’s journey to body positivity highlights the importance of self-acceptance at any size. Her experience challenges societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards. By embracing her current physique, Dunham is a role model for those struggling with body image. Her story offers hope that a more positive relationship with oneself is possible.