Three decades after her name shook American politics, Monica Lewinsky is taking back her story. Now 51, the former White House intern is using her voice to reflect on the scandal that changed her life forever.

In a deeply candid interview on Elizabeth Day’s How To Fail podcast, Lewinsky opened up about the affair with then-President Bill Clinton, how it impacted her identity, and what it means to be publicly shamed.

A Young Woman in a Power Imbalance
At just 22, Lewinsky entered the White House as an intern. Clinton was 49 and the most powerful man in the world.

“I think there was some limerence there and all sorts of other things, but that’s how I saw it then,” she said. “It was a 22-to-24-year-old young woman’s love. I think it was also an abuse of power.”
The relationship triggered an impeachment, endless media coverage, and relentless public humiliation. Yet, most of the blame fell squarely on her.