By Yasmin Rufo
There was also another reason she chose to step away from the spotlight. While filming Girls, in her 20s, Dunham’s body was heavily scrutinised and last year, she told the New Yorker she “was not up for having my body dissected again”.
She explains that body shaming was part of the reason she stepped further behind the camera. “Just being perceived was overwhelming,” she says.
Dunham has spent the past few years focusing on writing projects that don’t centre her as an actor.
She believes society has made some strides towards being more body positive, but says the culture we live in is still “so deeply fatphobic, misogynistic, racist and ageist and that informs our dynamic with our body”.
The 39-year-old has been vocal about challenges she’s faced with her health, particularly her endometriosis, which led her to have a hysterectomy aged 31.
Asked how her relationship with her body has changed since then, she says she’s developed a new love for how she looks.
“I’ve been able to have a relationship with my body that exists outside of the cultural pressures and I feel lucky for that.”