entertainment

Introducing the voice of her generation: Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham.

 

 

 

In the first episode of Girls, Lena Dunham’s character, Hannah, an unemployed serial publishing intern, insists as she begs for more money from her parents: “I may be the voice of my generation… or, at least, of a generation.”

And that is exactly what Dunham is.

Born to artist parents, Lena Dunham grew up in New York City. She attended Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, where she met her long-term friend, and Girls co-star, Jemima Kirke. In 2008, she graduated from Oberlin College, where she studied a Bachelor of Arts majoring in creative writing.

In 2010, she wrote, directed and starred in the indie cult film, Tiny Furniture.

But it was Dunham’s venture onto a smaller screen, with her hit HBO show, Girls,  that catapulted her to superstardom.

Besides winning a swag full of awards – including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical and becoming the only woman to win a Directors’ Guild Award for Comedy – Girls has become a phenomenon simply due to its subject matter. It’s a real show. About real girls.

The show is renowned for showing real bodies, and real sex. And, as a result of the show’s frequent sex scenes, Lena has often been (TOTALLY UNNECESSARILY) criticised about her appearance.

One episode of the show caused a stir when it depicted Dunham having sex with an older, very handsome man, as critics claimed that Dunham would never be able to do that in real life. Obviously, critics are morons. 

Lena Dunham at the Emmys.

She’s a feminist and an Obama supporter, but when she’s not being an awesome advocate, she’s never afraid to take the piss. This was perfectly illustrated when she appeared in the 2012 Emmys Opener.

Naked.

Chowing down on a huge cake.

Showing the haters that this Gen Y superstar can have her cake and eat it too.