Lena Dunham says she will pay artists to perform on her book tour after backlash for expecting them to work for free

LENA Dunham has done a quick about-turn on not paying opening acts on her upcoming book tour, after copping a barrage of criticism online.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Author/comedian Lena Dunham poses for a photo at the book signing for her book "Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned" at Barnes & Noble Union Square on September 30, 2014 in New York City. Jemal Countess/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

LENA Dunham has done a quick about-turn on not paying opening acts on her upcoming book tour, after copping a barrage of criticism online for expecting people to work for free.

The Girls creator was forced to defend herself after it Gawker revealed artists who will open for Dunham on her 11-city US and Canadian book tour to promote her new book Not That Kind Of Girl would not be compensated. Around 600 people signed up for an open-call video audition on Dunham’s website for a chance to take part.

Gawker revealed the star’s faux pas, with a piece titled “Lena Dunham Does Not Pay”, where they speculated on Dunham’s income, her reported $3.7 million book advance, and the cash she stood to earn by charging people for tickets to her book tour.

Comedian pals...Dunham with comedian Amy Schumer at the New York book signing for Dunham's book "Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned". Picure: Getty

The backlash seemed to have changed Dunham’s mind, with the star taking to Twitter to explain her position: “As an artist raised by artists, no one believes more than I do that creators should be fairly compensated for their work.”

“Some good points were raised and I’ve ensured that all opening acts will be compensated for their time, their labour and their talents.”

Dunham then went on to have a bit of a dig at Gawker, with whom she’s often locked horns.

“The fact that Gawker pointed this out really proves Judd Apatow’s saying that “a good note can come from anywhere”.

Dunham also shared picture of her celebrating at her book release party with Girls co-star Zosia Mamet, writing “A beautiful night celebrating the book with beloveds. Quite literally the only gathering I’ve ever wanted to stay at past 10pm, so fun I forgot to iPhone capture it. My sister @zosiamamet snapped this #blondeonblonde.”

Meanwhile, Dunham’s hotly-anticipated memoir/advice book is in stores, and the star received some support from musician boyfriend Jack Antonoff who posted an Instagram shot of the book’s cover.

“This is out today and the world is a better place,” he captioned the pic.

Originally published as Lena Dunham says she will pay artists to perform on her book tour after backlash for expecting them to work for free