Why is it important which lens you choose for taking portraits?

Here is a link to a series of portraits taken with various lens focal lengths.

Tell me what you think. Does it matter?

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2011/11/e4315eb25d608da3dcf848172e4f2928.jpg

Sorry, I could not find who to attribute this to.

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