It seems like Lena Dunham can never really catch a break when it comes to her appearance, no matter what she does. Recently, celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton made some passive aggressive quips about Dunham’s weight and fashion choices–and that didn’t sit well with the Jewish actress and writer.
Dunham, who is known for being outspoken, stood up for herself–and subsequently, stood up for all women who are unfairly criticized for not being stick thin, or “glamorous enough.” Perez originally posted two photos of her this past weekend, one with the phrase “Nice to see her trying.” He asked his readers to caption another:
In a comment on the photo of Dunham in the black dress, she responded to Hilton saying:
“I try at a lot of things. Mostly I try at being a writer, director, actor, activist, friend, sibling, partner, Godmother…. Fashion is fun but sometimes I’d rather not spend 3 hours and lots of cash I could give to charity or spend on books and food to get ready to go out. [There are a lot of] different ways to be a public figure and I think there’s room for us to occasionally show up in public like normal people do. When I look at that picture you subjected to ‘caption this’ criticism, I see a day well-spent writing, reading, having tea with a friend. It’s unfortunate that the days you approve of most are the ones where I’m spending the least time on what really matters. With love, Lena.”
Isn’t it tiring that women have to constantly stand up for themselves this way? I don’t have to tell you about all the times women in the public eye have to, because it’s everywhere. What kind of message does this sound to young girls? That their value lies only in their physical beauty?
Dunham does so much more than show up on the red carpet. We don’t have to be the biggest fans of Dunham’s creative work, but we can’t fault her for not wanting to be bullied about her looks.
Only a week before, Dunham posted about why she’s tired of people commenting on her weight loss (besides that it’s no one’s business), stating on Instagram:
“Thank you for this @Refinery29. I feel I’ve made it pretty clear over the years that I don’t give even the tiniest of shits what anyone else feels about my body. I’ve gone on red carpets in couture as a size 14. I’ve done sex scenes days after surgery, mottled with scars. I’ve accepted that my body is an ever changing organism, not a fixed entity- what goes up must come down and vice versa. I smile just as wide no matter my current size because I’m proud of what this body has seen and done and represented. Chronic illness sufferer. Body-shaming vigilante. Sexual assault survivor. Raging hottie. Just like all of YOU.
Right now I’m struggling to control my endometriosis through a healthy diet and exercise. So my weight loss isn’t a triumph and it also isn’t some sign I’ve finally given in to the voices of trolls. Because my body belongs to ME–at every phase, in every iteration, and whatever I’m doing with it, I’m not handing in my feminist card to anyone. So thank you to my girl @ashleygraham for writing so gorgeously about this on @lennyletter (link in bio). Thank you to @tracyandersonmethod for teaching me that exercise has the power to counteract my pain and anxiety, and to @jennikonner for being my partner in FUCK IT. I refuse to celebrate these bullshit before-and-after pictures. Don’t we have infinitely more pressing news to attend to? So much love to all my web friends who demand that life be more than a daily weigh in, who know their merit has nothing to do with their size, who fight to be seen and heard and accepted. I love you- Lena”
Dunham also says it best when she asks, “Don’t we have infinitely more pressing news to attend to?” Because we do, and because we shouldn’t have to feel bad about our bodies, ever.
