Lena Dunham and Taylor Swift have shared a close friendship for over a decade, a bond that has seen both women through various phases of their careers and personal lives. Dunham, a writer and actress, recently opened up about her protective feelings towards Swift in an interview with The New Yorker, published on July 9.
Dunham expressed her cautious approach to safeguarding Swift from intrusive people and unwanted attention. “I’m always very careful to be protective of her in every single way,” she said. “Probably the two things I get asked most in life are ‘What is Taylor like?’ and ‘Can I have tickets to the Eras Tour?’ And usually my answer to both things is no, but I will say that she’s everything that you would want her to be.”
Dunham went on to describe Swift as kind, devoted, introspective, emotional, and incredibly funny. She added, “I guess my feeling sometimes is, ‘Isn’t she giving us enough, guys?’”
Reflecting on the intense public scrutiny Swift faced earlier in her career, particularly around 2014, Dunham noted how the pop star was criticized for her large friend group, dubbed “The Squad,” and her dating life. “She was having the exact experience that is standard for a woman in their twenties, which is finding who your people are,” Dunham recalled. “But there was just an examination of it that was so microscopic, and a set of standards that were so outlandish.”
Dunham also shared her experiences attending Swift’s Eras Tour, having seen shows in Boston and Pittsburgh, and expressed her desire to catch another performance in London. “It’s my church,” she joked. She revealed that her favorite of Swift’s musical eras is “Reputation.” “If you’re going to be misunderstood, why not take it all the way?” Dunham said. “I think that’s one of the reasons why Reputation is my favorite Taylor era, because it’s so much about ‘If you’re not going to see me, if you’re going to so refuse to understand what’s in front of you and what I’m trying to say, then why don’t I just put on a black catsuit and move it all the way over to villain mode?’”
Dunham’s connection to Swift’s music predates their friendship. “Even since before Taylor and I were friends, I just always had felt such a deep connection to her music,” she added.
Their friendship began in 2012 when Dunham tweeted about Swift’s Red album, calling it “triumphant.” This led to a connection over Twitter, and two years later, Dunham joined Swift onstage during her 1989 World Tour. In 2021, Swift was a bridesmaid at Dunham’s wedding to British-Peruvian musician Luis Felber.
Dunham has been vocal about her admiration for Swift’s music and creative voice. In a 2014 interview, she gushed, “I’ve been obsessed with Taylor Swift since her first song. ‘Teardrops on My Guitar’ was the first one I became familiar with, but I think she’s been a fully formed creative voice since she was 15 and really does sing my story.”
The loyalty and mutual respect between Dunham and Swift are evident in their interactions and public statements. Dunham’s protective nature towards Swift highlights the depth of their friendship and the challenges that come with being in the public eye. As Dunham continues to support Swift’s musical journey, their bond remains a testament to the power of genuine friendship in the entertainment industry.
Source: The New Yorker, Billboard
