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Lena Dunham compares her past relationships to those on Love Island

'I hope we can keep cracking on, into the future for ever'

Sarah Young
Monday 29 July 2019 00:28 BST
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Lena Dunham attends Lincoln Center's American Songbook Gala at Alice Tully Hall on 29 May 2018
Lena Dunham attends Lincoln Center's American Songbook Gala at Alice Tully Hall on 29 May 2018 (Getty Images)

Lena Dunham has spoken about her obsession for Love Island, admitting that the show has helped her reflect on her own past relationships.

The American actor and writer, who is currently living in Wales filming her latest TV show, said that her “vague interest” in the ITV2 reality series turned into “something like obsession” earlier this summer, and that she watches the show every night.

In an article for The Guardian, the Girls creator said she has been “fairly silent” about why she enjoys watching the programme until now, likening her own romantic history to the affairs experienced by the islanders in the villa.

Dunham compared her own personal heartache to Love Island’s Amy Hart, who left the villa earlier in the series following her split from Curtis Pritchard, who confessed to having feelings for another contestant.

The 33-year-old also likened herself to Amber Gill, who was heartbroken when her partner Michael Griffiths left her for Joanna Chimonides, and Lucie Donlan, who sought the comfort of a number of new islanders after her ex-partner Joe Garratt was dumped from the show.

Dunham added that she was “primed” for the TV series given her recent split from former partner musician Jack Antonoff, writing: “I pulled a Lucie and immediately hurled myself at someone new, an explosive and uncomfortable five months, during which I was briefly engaged after being proposed to with the lace of a Timberland boot while snowed into my parents’ apartment.”

The Tiny Furniture star explained that she did not feel safe with that person, who she did not name, and that she eventually began dating somebody else.

“I am asking myself the same questions they ask themselves on Love Island, really,” Dunham wrote.

“Can you love again after hurt? What does partnership mean? And what does it mean to know someone if you don’t know yourself?”

Dunham concluded her essay by saying she hopes to find love in the future herself, with a person who is “OK with an infertile, chubby, controlling fantasist who has made a lot of mistakes but can’t stop trying”.

Referencing a well-known Love Island phrase, The Not That Kind of Girl author added: “I hope we can keep cracking on, into the future for ever.”

Last month Dunham revealed her adoration for the programme in a series of tweets, telling her American fans that “like the most of the UK, I am obsessed with the show”.

Love Island’s fifth series is set to finish on Monday with a grand finale that will see one couple take home a £50,000 prize.

Earlier this week, ITV revealed that the popular show will run for two series next year with a new villa in South Africa.

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