Lindsay Lohan: From Paparazzi PTSD to Protecting Her Son's Privacy!
Lindsay Lohan is opening up about the lasting impact of her experiences as a young star, specifically the intense scrutiny and relentless pursuit by paparazzi. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, the actress revealed that those “terrifying moments” have significantly shaped how she raises her 2-year-old son, Luai.
“I don’t ever want my family to experience being chased by the paparazzi the way I was,” Lohan, 39, explained. “They were terrifying moments I had in my life — I have PTSD to the extreme from those things. The most invasive situations. Really scary. And I pray stuff like that never comes back. It’s not safe. It’s not fair.”
Lohan and her husband, Bader Shammas, are constantly discussing how to safeguard Luai's privacy and determine the level of media access they're comfortable with. The couple, who were first linked in 2020 and married in July 2022, welcomed their son in July 2023.
Reclaiming the Narrative
Lohan also expressed gratitude for the rise of social media, which she believes has empowered celebrities to control their own narratives. “Now, because of social media, people can tell their own story in the way that you want it to be told,” she stated. “It has reclaimed the ownership of your life.”
She contrasted this with her early experiences, where she felt a lack of control over her public image. “We didn't have that and so, no, I don't think anybody chose that life, but what I have learnt over time is how to separate my private life and public life, and that was difficult for me because nobody ever teaches you how to do that.”
Breaking Free from Past Roles
Beyond the challenges of fame, Lohan also addressed the frustration of being pigeonholed by past roles. While grateful for her early success in films like The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, and Mean Girls, she yearns for opportunities to showcase her range as an actress.
“I was so thrilled to work on A Prairie Home Companion, and yet even today I have to fight for stuff that is like that, which is frustrating,” Lohan admitted. “Because, well, you know me as this — but you also know I can do that. So let me! Give me the chance.”
Lohan hopes her upcoming Hulu drama, Count My Lies, where she will both star and produce, will help break that cycle and open doors to new opportunities. She remains optimistic about the future and open to working with acclaimed directors like Martin Scorsese.