Lena Headey calls out haters who slammed her for using a body double on 'Game of Thrones'

"Some people thought I was less of an actress because I didn’t get my t*ts out."
 By 
Neha Prakash
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

If all men must die, then all women must defend the choices they make about their bodies. 

Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey recently fired back at haters who questioned her credibility as an actress after she used a body double last season for Cersei Lannister's infamous, naked "walk of shame." 


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Following the emotional season 5 finale, several fans tweeted about her body double, saying they felt "cheated."



Headey -- who spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the fantasy saga's upcoming sixth season -- said she was shocked by the response. 

"Some people thought I was less of an actress because I didn’t get my tits out," she said. "I’ve done nudity. I’m not adverse to it."

Headey attributed her choice to the vulnerable tone of the scene and the toll it would take on her. 

I know I’m a very emotional actor and I get really driven by that. In order to do my job, I allow myself to be really vulnerable... Things really affect me. And the thought of being naked for three days and trying to contain her in the way she would be I think I would feel very angry. I didn’t want to be angry. I don’t think Cersei would be angry. I did what I thought she would do, emotionally... I have kids and they know me now and [being naked in the scene] was just too much on top of that. So yeah, people that get it thought it was great. I didn’t phone it in; I was actually there for three days with Rebecca.

The actress also dispelled rumors that she was involved in casting the body double. (Some haters claimed Headey's narcism lead her to pick a slim figure.)

People [assume] I picked Rebecca. Like I was in the casting and picked a hot body. Like I demanded to have a hot body... I had no judgment in that or desire to be involved. Because as a woman, that drives me mad; the thought I’m like, 'Nope! Nope!' [and dismissing nude women] in a room. I genuinely wouldn’t. Because none of it is about vanity for me — none of it — otherwise I couldn’t do it. 

If it were us, we just would've stuck the new-and-improved Mountain on those folks -- but clearly Headey has the grace of a queen. 

Season 6 premieres April 24 on HBO.

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Neha Prakash

Neha Prakash was Mashable's Senior Watercooler Reporter, covering viral content, Internet culture and all things Kardashians.Before being a reporter, Neha was a Mashable intern covering news and politics. Neha previously interned at AOL/Huffington Post managing content and social media for its health and fitness sites.She earned her Masters degree from Columbia Journalism School in May 2012, and graduated with a B.A. from Penn State University in 2010.

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