Lindsay Lohan Reflects on Childhood Spotlight and Rebuilding Life in Dubai
In a new March cover interview, Lindsay Lohan, 39, said she still wonders, "Why didn’t anyone just go and take me out of there, protect me more?" The conversation captures why the former teen star moved away from Hollywood, why she now values privacy and family life in Dubai, and how she is cautiously returning to work.
Lindsay Lohan on growing up under scrutiny
Lohan described her early fame as overwhelming and consuming, saying she should have listened to her parents and moved back to New York while she was younger. Her rise began as a child actor and accelerated through high-profile teen roles. She recalled living in Los Angeles as a teenager and, for a time, sharing an apartment with another young performer. The intensity of that period later included arrests and legal troubles and left her questioning who had intervened while she was still a teenager.
Why she moved and what Dubai gave her
She moved to Dubai in 2014 and still calls the city home. Lohan said the city is grounding, allowing her to spend time with family and escape constant scrutiny. She noted that privacy around her child is a "big breath of fresh air, " and that living away from prying long lenses has helped her stop overthinking every second of her life.
Family life and personal balance
Lohan said she met her husband, a financier, while living in Dubai. The couple welcomed a son named Luai in July 2023 and are hoping to expand their family. She characterized their relationship as balanced—"He’s so calm and I’m like a firecracker, " she said—linking her current sense of peace to the ability to focus on what she called "what’s most important. "
Career arc, past struggles and creative resurgence
Lohan’s career spans a breakout child role, major teen comedies and adult romcoms, plus music, a beach club venture and a fashion line. She acknowledged that the 2000s were a harsh time for young women in the spotlight, and that public shaming and relentless attention contributed to difficult years. She said she stepped away when she stopped enjoying the business and moved to the other side of the world to find a different life.
Upcoming work and what to watch next
She continues to work and is set to star in the miniseries Count My Lies opposite established actors Shailene Woodley and Kit Harington. Lohan said age has brought a new confidence: she is more comfortable asserting herself about characters and participating in the creative process. If the miniseries proceeds on its current schedule, it will provide an early chance to see how that confidence translates to new, high-profile roles.
Key takeaways
- Lohan framed her troubled teen years as overwhelming and questioned why more protection wasn’t offered.
- She credits Dubai with providing privacy, family focus and emotional grounding.
- She is returning to acting with a forthcoming miniseries that may showcase a more assertive creative role.
