Lindsay Lohan is finally opening up about the real reasons behind her decision to leave Hollywood, revealing that her departure was a much-needed break from the intense scrutiny that came with fame at a young age.
In a recent interview published on March 14, 2024, Lohan detailed how the constant paparazzi attention and media coverage had overshadowed her work, making her feel like her personal life was taking center stage instead of her acting career.
Reflecting on the relentless media focus, especially during her teenage years, she explained,
“I feel like some of [my work] got overshadowed by paparazzi… and that’s kind of annoying.”
Lohan admitted that this attention made her feel the need to step away from the spotlight. She wanted to regain control of her narrative, adding that it seemed impossible for the media to focus solely on her professional achievements when there was so much speculation surrounding her personal life.
This prompted her decision to leave Hollywood and move first to London, then later to Dubai, where she has lived for several years.
She compared her experiences to the current environment where social media offers individuals more control over their stories, a stark contrast to the paparazzi-driven world she once inhabited.
Lohan noted that while younger stars today may face similar public attention, they can curate their own online presence, which gives them more power over how they are perceived.
However, Lohan, who has largely remained out of the public eye, emphasized that she doesn’t pay much attention to the gossip or tabloid stories, as she has seen firsthand how damaging and misleading the media can be.
Despite her absence from Hollywood, Lohan made a remarkable return to acting in recent years.
She reprised her role in a cameo in the 2023 Mean Girls musical remake and signed a two-movie deal with Netflix, which began with the 2022 film Falling for Christmas.
Her return to acting has come with a new perspective, influenced by her personal life, particularly the birth of her son, Luai, with her husband, Bader Shammas, in 2023.
Lohan shared that her role as a mother has changed her approach to choosing projects, as she wants to work on projects that not only inspire her but that her son will be able to enjoy in the future.
Lindsay also revealed her desire for more children, sharing that she had a strong bond with her own siblings and wants Luai to experience that same sense of family. Reflecting on her motherhood journey, she added,
“Having a baby, you’re like, ‘Oh, I want another.'”
In the years following her departure from Hollywood, Lohan has also embraced her private life with Bader Shammas, whom she married in 2022.
The couple had been dating for three years before announcing their engagement in November 2021.
Lohan frequently shares sweet moments of their life together on social media, including a touching post in July 2022, where she referred to Shammas as her “husband.”
The couple’s bond seems to have provided Lohan with a sense of stability, with Lohan describing him as an amazing, calm person who has been a great support to her throughout their relationship.
Their journey into parenthood was marked by Lohan’s excitement to share the news of her pregnancy in March 2023.
She and Shammas welcomed their son, Luai, in Dubai, and Lohan has expressed gratitude for her supportive circle of friends, family, and her husband.
Looking forward, Lohan seems to have found balance in her life between family and work, with the future of her career guided by her new roles as a mother and wife.
She has come a long way from the paparazzi-fueled days of her youth, finding peace and fulfillment in her personal life and taking a more thoughtful approach to her career.
As she continues to navigate the challenges of motherhood and acting, Lohan is setting her own pace, confident in her ability to manage both aspects of her life.
This chapter in Lindsay Lohan’s life is one of self-discovery and prioritizing her family, while still embracing the entertainment world in a way that aligns with her values and aspirations.