Lena Dunham Shares About Cheating in New Memoir

Lena Dunham has opened up in her recently released memoir, “Famesick,” about her affair with a childhood boyfriend while she was in a relationship with Jack Antonoff.

The “Girls” creator, now 39, reflects on her romance with the music producer, which lasted from 2012 until 2017. In the book, released Tuesday, she candidly discusses the challenges they faced, particularly after she had a hysterectomy in 2017. Dunham notes that this event significantly strained their relationship and led to a growing dependence on drugs.

During a particularly tough time in her relationship with Antonoff, Dunham reached out to someone named Nick, an ex-boyfriend from middle school. Despite the years apart, they had kept in contact.

She recounts a night where she invited Nick over after expressing a desire for comfort post-surgery, asking him to sleep with her. In a taxi, she shared with him, “I’ve been through something terrible. I don’t want to talk about it, but I want you to, well, you know.”

Dunham later described their encounter as a mix of desperation and euphoria, emphasizing that it wasn’t just physical pleasure but a moment of clarity amid her struggles. She wrote, “For the first time in months, I was thinking fully. It was a mix of guilt and survival.”

As the affair continued while Antonoff went on tour, Dunham ultimately realized she needed to end her relationship with him. She recounted a tearful breakfast where she admitted to Antonoff that they no longer brought each other happiness.

While reflecting on their breakup, she mentioned sharing a tender moment with Antonoff, remembering him as her first great love. They exchanged tears and longing, and surprisingly, Antonoff expressed his willingness to stay connected, stating, “We can do anything you want.” There was a moment of relief amidst the heartache.

Dunham’s representative confirmed that she and Antonoff parted ways amicably in January 2018 after five years together. The memoir also touches on other personal experiences, including instances of alleged verbal abuse with her “Girls” co-star Adam Driver.

As for their current lives, Dunham married musician Louis Felber in September 2021, and Antonoff tied the knot with actress Margaret Qualley in August 2023.