Actress Claire Danes has long been an advocate for gender equality in Hollywood, and the 36-year-old starlet says being a woman in her line of work is challenging.
When speaking to PEOPLE for its latest issue, Danes addressed a double standard with body-shaming, which she says plagues Hollywood, and she’s had enough of it.
“I feel like my body is monitored and commented on infinitely more than my male counterpart,” she said. “I remember a couple of Emmys ago, Lena Dunham and I were on the carpet together. We were singled out and criticized for having different body types – I was too skinny and she was too big. She is a dear friend of mine, and it made me angry because this is just how we are.”
“We just take it for granted that it’s acceptable and we really internalize that as normal and fine, and it’s not,” she added.
This isn’t the first time Danes has been vocal about the way she feels women are perceived in Hollywood.
“I am a feminist…I’m so glad that Lena Dunham exists, because she is one too, and she’s quite vocal about it,” the Homeland actress told Glamour mag in 2013. “Yes, women have more freedom and more influence than ever, but it’s hardly equal. It’s just not. It’s really f*cking crazy.”
Danes also discussed the pressures of maintaining her appearance during her pregnancy while starring in a hit TV show.
“I was very anxious about my pregnancy because I was responsible for this huge show, and I didn’t want to let anyone down at work, but I have this other major project of growing a person,” she said. “I was mindful of what I was eating because I didn’t want to look pregnant.”
Danes just received her sixth nomination for an Emmy award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series.
The newest season of Homeland airs on Showtime Sunday, October 4 at 9 p.m.
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