Lindsay Lohan opens up about fame, trauma and fighting stereotypes, says "I have extreme PTSD"

Lindsay Lohan interview

Lindsay Lohan is stepping back into the spotlight with refreshing honesty, reflecting on the enduring effects of early fame and the continued challenges she faces within the film industry.

As she gears up for the release of Freakier Friday, the sequel to the 2003 cult favourite Freaky Friday, the 39-year-old actress opened up to The Times UK about the pressures of being pigeonholed, the emotional toll of stardom, and her decision to step away from Hollywood life.

Despite her decades-long career and a variety of performances under her belt, Lohan admitted she still struggles to be offered diverse roles. “Yeah, I do think I was pigeonholed," she said, noting that her role alongside Meryl Streep in A Prairie Home Companion once felt like a turning point.

“Which is frustrating. Because, well, you know me as this, but you also know I can do that. So let me! Give me the chance." She added, “I have to break that cycle and open doors to something else, leaving people no choice. And in due time, if Martin Scorsese reaches out, I’m not going to say no."

Lohan famously stepped back from acting in 2008 to prioritise her wellbeing, later making a life-changing move to Dubai in 2015. The decision, she explained, offered her an escape from the invasive celebrity culture of Los Angeles.

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“I don’t ever want my family to go through what I went through. I have extreme PTSD from it. It’s not safe. It’s not fair." Speaking on a talk show, she also praised Dubai’s privacy laws: “You can’t take someone’s photo without asking. It’s just different."

Looking ahead, Lohan stars in and executive produces the Hulu thriller Count My Lies, portraying a cunning nanny entangled in deceit. She’s also eager to pursue more grounded, character-led cinema. “There are not many major movies I want to go and see that are like that — there’s a gap and I’m craving to do work like that," she shared.

Now settled with husband Bader Shammas and raising their son Luai, Lohan says she’s embracing a new chapter — one defined by purpose, peace, and creative reinvention.