Lenny Letter, the feminist-themed website and newsletter founded by Lena Dunham and her former writing and producing partner Jenni Konner, is shutting down for good, with the pair thanking their reader and sharing a goodbye message overnight.
The Girls co-creators first launched the Lenny newsletter in 2015 – billed as “your over-sharing internet best friend”, it featured advice on everything from finances to relationships, and essays from women like Michelle Obama and Roxanne Gay.
One of the letter’s most widely-shared stories was a piece by actress Jennifer Lawrence, entitled “Why Do I Make Less Than My Male Co-Stars?”
Soon after its launch, Lenny expanded into a website, and then into other ventures including several podcasts, a book publishing imprint with Random House, and a short-lived video platform, that once featured Dunham interviewing Hillary Clinton.
The letter was the subject of controversy in 2017, when writer Zinzi Clemmons quit after Dunham accused an alleged rape victim of lying. Clemmons also accused Dunham and her circle of “hipster racism” in a series of heated social media posts.
In their goodbye letter, Dunham, Konner and Lenny editorial director Molly Elizalde thanked the “fiercely passionate community of dedicated readers, writers, and artists” who have supported them over the last several years.
Earlier this year, Dunham and Konner split as producing partners. Their last project together was Camping, the Jennifer Garner comedy currently airing on HBO. They are now said to be pursuing individual deals with the broadcaster.
