Lindsay Lohan Heart-Wrenching Past: How Paparazzi Trauma Shapes Her Parenting
Lindsay Lohan, the 39-year-old star of Mean Girls and Freaky Friday, has opened up about the “terrifying moments” she endured as a young celebrity, revealing how those experiences now guide her approach to raising her two-year-old son, Luai.
In a candid interview with The Sunday Times published on August 2, 2025, Lohan shared how relentless paparazzi and tabloid scrutiny left her with “extreme PTSD” and discussed her excitement for the upcoming Freakier Friday sequel. Here’s a deeper look at her reflections and their impact on her life today.
A Traumatic Past in the Spotlight
Lohan’s rise to fame in the early 2000s came with a heavy price. As a teen star, she faced constant harassment from paparazzi, creating what she described as “the most invasive situations.” “I don’t ever want my family to experience being chased by the paparazzi the way I was.
They were terrifying moments I had in my life—I have PTSD to the extreme from those things,” she told The Sunday Times. The actress, who starred in hits like The Parent Trap and Freaky Friday, recalled how unsafe and unfair the relentless media attention felt, expressing hope that such invasive practices are a thing of the past.
Now a mother, Lohan is determined to shield Luai, born in July 2023, from similar experiences. She and her husband, Bader Shammas, whom she married in July 2022, frequently discuss how to protect their son’s privacy. “We talk about how to best protect Luai’s privacy and how much access we want the media to have to him all the time,” she said, emphasizing their commitment to giving him a normal childhood away from the public eye.
Social Media’s Role in Reclaiming Control
Lohan believes the media landscape has shifted since her youth, thanks to social media. “It was way worse when I was younger, but now, because of social media, people can tell their own story in the way that you want it to be told,” she explained.
This change has allowed celebrities to reclaim ownership of their narratives, something Lohan lacked growing up. “We didn’t have that,” she noted, reflecting on the difficulty of separating her private and public lives—a skill she’s since mastered but found hard to learn without guidance.
When it comes to fan interactions, Lohan prefers openness over secrecy. She finds it unsettling when fans try to film her discreetly, saying, “That’s scary. That feels very uncomfortable.” Instead, she encourages fans to simply ask for a photo, which she’s happy to provide, fostering a more respectful connection.
Returning for Freakier Friday
Lohan is set to star in Freakier Friday, the sequel to the 2003 comedy Freaky Friday, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis. The film, hitting theaters on August 8, 2025, marks Lohan’s first time playing a mother on-screen, a role that resonates with her real-life journey. She revealed that Curtis, 66, has been a “safe space” over the years, with the pair staying in close contact since their original collaboration. “We’ve been pretty much consistently in touch,” Lohan said.
Initially, Lohan hesitated to join the sequel when Curtis pitched the idea during her pregnancy with Luai. “I was like, ‘Well, not right this second,’” she recalled. However, the timing eventually aligned, and Lohan embraced the opportunity. “It’s timing. Time is working on my side! Which is great,” she mused, excited to bring the beloved story to a new generation.
A Mother’s Protective Instinct
Lohan’s reflections highlight how her past continues to shape her present, particularly in her role as a mother. Her determination to protect Luai from the chaos she endured underscores her growth and resilience. As she prepares for Freakier Friday’s release, Lohan’s story resonates with fans, offering a glimpse into the challenges of fame and the strength it takes to move forward.
