Lindsay Lohan Finds Peace in Dubai, Escaping Hollywood’s Chaos

Lindsay Lohan, the Mean Girls icon, has traded the chaos of Hollywood for the serene sands of Dubai, a move she made in 2014 to escape the relentless spotlight. Now 38, married to Bader Shammas, and a mother to her one-year-old son, Luai, Lohan has found a sanctuary where privacy and peace reign. In a candid interview for Elle's 2025 Summer Issue, she shared how this relocation reshaped her life, both personally and professionally.

In Los Angeles, even a simple park outing with her son sparked anxiety over lurking paparazzi. "It’s hard in L.A.," Lohan admitted, contrasting it with the calm of Dubai, where she feels safe and unbothered. New York, she notes, offers a similar respite, with its fast-paced energy leaving little room for intrusive cameras. "I’d rather have downtime in New York than L.A.," she said, though Dubai provides the ultimate balance of space and tranquility.

Lohan’s career began at age three, skyrocketing with her role in the 1998 Parent Trap remake. But fame came at a cost, with paparazzi overshadowing her work. "I wish that part didn’t happen," she told Bustle, explaining her retreat to Dubai was a bid to reclaim her narrative. Social media has since become her tool to shape her story, a freedom she envies in today’s stars. "I’m a little jealous because I didn’t have that," she confessed to Cosmopolitan, emphasizing the need to slow down in a world that moves too fast.

In Dubai, Lohan learned the power of saying no, a lesson that opened doors to projects she truly wanted, like her role alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in Freakier Friday. Curtis, a mentor, taught her to prioritize self-care. "Without that, how can you do everything for everyone else?" Lohan reflected. Her routine now includes journaling, green tea, Pilates, and quality time with her family, which she calls her "most important thing."

Addressing rumors about her appearance, Lohan dismissed facelift speculation, crediting her transformed look to a tailored skincare routine and diet changes post-pregnancy. "My skin changed after having my son," she explained, detailing her regimen of green tea, chia seeds, pickled beets, and ice-cold water facials. She’s cautious with treatments, noting her sensitive skin after trying Morpheus8. "I did blood tests and cut everything out," she said, marking a holistic shift in her lifestyle.

Lohan’s journey reflects a woman reclaiming her peace and purpose, finding balance far from Hollywood’s glare.