Lena Dunham isn't one to keep her opinions to herself. When espnW's Allison Glock asked the actress and comedian about the body-shaming of female athletes, Dunham was quick to offer her own two cents.
Easily the two most famous female athletes at the current moment are Serena Williams and Ronda Rousey. For all the fame and media attention they enjoy, those two are also subjected to rampant criticism -- particularly online, where discussions inevitably turn to their physical attributes -- for better or for worse.
As physically strong females, they often have to face body-shaming for physical characteristics commonly attributed to men. Dunham thinks there's a simple explanation for why men feel the need to engage in such shaming tactics.
"With Serena Williams and Ronda Rousey, men are thinking, 'You could beat me up, that [expletive] scares me, you have achieved more than I ever will in my lifetime, so I'm going to get online and tell you that you don't look like someone I want to [expletive],'" Dunham told espnW. "That is where I believe it comes from. And it's so unenlightened. And man, it's a bummer.
"The fact is, Ronda Rousey could punch you in the face anytime she wanted, and she has completely created her own life and she's having an incredible career that most of us could only dream of."
In Dunham's view, Williams and Rousey are unnerving to certain men because their accomplishments supercede any power those men might be able to claim over the women.
"And that point of view is really, really threatening to certain people, especially when it comes in the form of a woman, because to a man, a woman not caring what you think means that all your power is gone. You can't control her anymore," Dunham said.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey steals the spotlight when she puts the clamps on Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey connects with fans in Brazil.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey speaks on a sports panel at SXSW in Austin.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Mario Lopez welcomes Rousey to the set of 'Extra' at Universal Studios
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey waves to fans at Univesal CityWalk.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey appears at a promotional event with Reebok and UFC.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Hip hop artist Swizz Beatz poses with Rousey.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey draws a crowd in Hollywood.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey attends a special screening of "The Expendables 3" in Macao.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger flank Rousey at The Venetian Macao.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey attends the Los Angeles premiere of "The Expendables 3" at the TCL Chinese Theatre.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
"The Expendables 3" is Rousey's first acting credit.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey shares a laugh with Joe Rogan after weighing in before UFC 175.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey joins the cast of "The Expendables 3" at the Cannes Film Festival.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey attends the Cannes premiere of "The Expendables 3" with Antonio Banderas, Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson and Wesley Snipes.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey works a scene on location in Beverly Hills with Jerry Ferrara for the "Entoutage" movie.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey takes time to pose with a fan at LAX airport.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey poses during a UFC portrait session in December 2013.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey has an exchange with Jimmy Kimmel.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey is featured in the 2012 edition of ESPN The Magazine's annual body issue.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey wins a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She is the first American woman to earn an Olympic medal in judo.
