Lindsay Lohan Exposes The Dark Side Of Growing Up Famous In Candid Interview

Lindsay Lohan, the former child star who became one of the most scrutinized young actresses of the 2000s, has come forward with a raw reassessment of what fame did to her as a teenager.

The 39-year-old, who now lives in Dubai with her husband, Bader Shammas, and their son, Luai, opened up in a new cover story for Vogue Arabia about the years following Mean Girls, when global attention and substance issues consumed her life.

Lohan was just 17 when she filmed the 2004 teen comedy that cemented her status as a household name. What followed, she said, “was all so overwhelming and consuming,” and left her wishing someone would’ve saved her.

Lindsay Lohan opened up about the toll being a teenage star had on her mental and physical wellbeing

Lindsay Lohan exposing the dark side of growing up famous, lying on rooftop in black dress and silver chain necklace.

Image credits: Vogue Arabia

“I should have listened to my mom and dad and moved back to New York. But I was young and wanted to be in LA. And I didn’t know,” she reflected.

“So yeah, while a lot of it was fun, it was hard when I was young. It was a double-edged sword.”

Lindsay Lohan in a green outfit, looking thoughtful while exposing the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: Vogue Arabia

Lohan’s rise began long before Mean Girls. In 1998, she broke out as a child actor in The Parent Trap and steadily built a career that placed her squarely in the center of Hollywood’s spotlight.

But as paparazzi attention intensified and tabloid culture peaked, she found herself living a version of life that felt increasingly disconnected from reality.

“I wasn’t having fun in the business anymore,” she said. “I wasn’t finding roles I loved. It’s not a life I wanted to live, you know? It’s not a real life.”

‘Hot Mess’, Lindsay Lohan photographed by Ellen von Unwerth (2009) pic.twitter.com/BPZgc0y1vL

— la bella vita (@drugproblem) August 8, 2024

The pressure ultimately pushed her to make a drastic decision. In 2014, she relocated to Dubai, distancing herself from Los Angeles and the industry machine that had defined her adolescence.

“It pushed me so far away that I moved to the other side of the world. And I’m so glad I followed my gut,” she said.

“Now I look back and wonder, ‘Why didn’t anyone just go and take me out of there, protect me more?’ You don’t know how to do that yourself when you’re a teenager.”

The actress struggled with substance use and law enforcement through much of the late 2000s and early 2010s

Lindsay Lohan smiling with long hair, wearing a white top and necklace, highlighting the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: Getty/Gregg DeGuire

Lohan’s unraveling became public in 2007, when she was arrested in connection with a suspected DUI incident in May, then arrested again on July 24 in Santa Monica on suspicion of DUI after authorities described a brief pursuit.

Police said illegal stimulants were found during booking, but Lohan publicly denied consuming them.

“I am innocent, did not do dr*gs. They’re not mine,” she said at the time.

Lindsay Lohan smiling at a media event, highlighting the dark side of growing up famous in a candid interview.

Image credits: Getty/Cindy Ord

In 2010, a judge ruled that she had violated probation stemming from her earlier DUI cases because she failed to attend required drinking education classes. She was sentenced to jail. 

Standing in court, Lohan said, “I’m not taking this as a joke. It’s my life. It’s my career … I take responsibility for my actions.”

The judge disagreed with her characterization of events and said she had not been taking her obligations seriously.

Alt text: Lindsay Lohan exposing the dark side of growing up famous in a candid interview about her movie success.

Image credits: lavitalohan

The actress’ time in custody was followed by repeated court appearances over probation compliance.

In 2012, she was accused of hitting a pedestrian with her car outside a New York hotel.

Lohan denied the allegation, calling it “a complete lie” and saying, “These false accusations are absurd.” The case added to a growing list of incidents that kept her under legal scrutiny.

Six mugshots of Lindsay Lohan showing changes over time highlighting the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: Handout

In 2013, as part of a plea deal tied to misdemeanor charges related to a car crash and providing false information to police, she was ordered to complete 90 days in a locked rehabilitation facility.

She later completed the program.

Lohan is experiencing a career resurgence, with streaming platforms casting her in several projects

Lindsay Lohan wearing a white jacket, speaking candidly about the dark side of growing up famous in an interview.

Image credits: Getty/Pool

For much of the 2010s, Lohan appeared only sporadically in film and television. Her return to mainstream visibility came years later through a series of Netflix romantic comedies, including Falling for Christmas, Irish Wish and Our Little Secret.

By that time, her personal life had also changed.

She began dating Kuwaiti financier Bader Shammas by 2020. The couple got engaged in 2021, married in 2022 and welcomed their son Luai in July 2023.

Lindsay Lohan with long blonde hair and natural makeup posing against a wooden background in a maroon top.

Image credits: lindsaylohan

As Vogue Arabia noted, Lohan has taken on greater creative control in this new chapter. She has served as an executive producer on recent projects, including 2025’s Freakier Friday.

Alt text: Lindsay Lohan exposing the dark side of growing up famous in a candid movie scene from Freaky Friday.

Image credits: timmydarnay

“With age comes a different kind of confidence,” she said.

“When I was younger, I wasn’t so comfortable saying how I felt about a character and being involved with the process of it. And I love that part now.”

“I always felt like I had too many people around me and that I was being guided in a different direction,” she added. “And now it feels good to steer my own ship.”

Lindsay Lohan in a maroon dress, posing indoors with soft lighting, capturing the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: Vogue Arabia

Lohan’s fans can look forward to her upcoming appearance in Hulu’s limited thriller series Count My Lies. The actress will star alongside Game of Thrones’ Kit Harrington, who is set to play her husband.

The series is expected to premiere in late 2026.

“Shameful.” Netizens lamented the fate that befell many child actors

Tweet criticizing lack of protection for child stars, highlighting dark side of growing up famous in a controversial discussion.

Image credits: barbara_medz

Tweet criticizing parental exploitation while discussing Lindsay Lohan exposing the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: anoeosman

Tweet from P-E-Z discussing out of control behavior, relating to Lindsay Lohan exposing the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: pez1963

Tweet criticizing Lindsay Lohan, highlighting public pressure and the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: sarcastic_deer

Tweet discussing Lindsay Lohan exposing the dark side of growing up famous with challenges from her mother and acting career.

Image credits: the10percenter_

Screenshot of a social media reply discussing Lindsay Lohan and the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: DICEY63

Screenshot of a tweet discussing Lindsay Lohan exposing the dark side of growing up famous in a candid interview.

Image credits: wverlysto

Screenshot of a Twitter post discussing Lindsay Lohan’s transformation and the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: _justNoble

Tweet by Tasawar Iqbal discussing Lindsay Lohan exposing the dark side of growing up famous in a candid interview.

Image credits: TasawarMQ

Tweet discussing Lindsay Lohan exposing the dark side of growing up famous in a candid interview.

Image credits: Dirtyboy

Tweet from user 4nia reacting to Lindsay Lohan exposing the dark side of growing up famous in a candid interview.

Image credits: theenergylab

Tweet screenshot showing a user criticizing Lindsay Lohan, referencing the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: BentoboxC

Tweet discussing Lindsay Lohan’s candid interview revealing the dark side of growing up famous.

Image credits: 80sJessa

Twitter user WonderWoman commenting on the dark side of growing up famous, referencing safety concerns in a candid tone.

Image credits: CristinaSt16508

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!