Lindsay Lohan opens up about leaving Hollywood stress behind by moving to Dubai

After nearly three decades in the spotlight, Lindsay Lohan left the hectic pace of Hollywood behind, relocating from Los Angeles to Dubai in 2014. Since then, the "Mean Girls" star, now 38, has embraced life as a wife and mother—and found a newfound sense of peace.

Lohan, featured on the cover of Elle’s 2025 Summer Issue, opened up about her life abroad and the personal and professional growth she’s experienced since relocating.

Lohan shared that life in Los Angeles can be stressful, even during simple moments like taking her son to the park, where she constantly worries about being watched or photographed. In contrast, she finds New York much more peaceful and private, with people minding their own business and a different, more relaxed energy. She prefers spending her downtime in New York over Los Angeles. Lohan shares her 1-year-old son, Luai, with husband Bader Shammas.

Lohan appreciates the spaciousness of Los Angeles, but she finds that Dubai offers all the benefits she values—privacy, peace, and plenty of space—without the usual worries. In Dubai, she feels safe and able to enjoy a sense of calm that eludes her in other cities.

Starting her career at just three years old, Lohan rose to fame with the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, quickly thrust into the intense spotlight of Hollywood. Constant public scrutiny eventually took its toll, leading the Freaky Friday star to leave it all behind and relocate to Dubai in 2014.

Lindsay Lohan has expressed frustration that much of her early work was overshadowed by paparazzi attention and media scrutiny, a phase she wishes hadn’t affected her career.

Lindsay Lohan explained that the intense media focus on her personal life often overshadowed her professional work, which made her want to step away and disappear, knowing that without a scandal, the spotlight wouldn’t stay on her career alone.

In 2022, Lindsay Lohan discussed how social media has empowered her to take control of her own story—a stark contrast to her early career days when paparazzi shaped public perception without her input. She expressed admiration for today’s artists who can define their own identities online, admitting she’s a bit envious since she didn’t have that opportunity. Aware of the fast-paced digital world, she carefully vets everything before posting, often consulting others to ensure her message is just right.

Lohan emphasized the importance of taking public opinions with a grain of salt and staying true to oneself. She advised slowing down amid the fast pace of today’s world, reminding that people often move too quickly and that it’s important to take a moment to pause and relax.

After relocating to Dubai, Lohan discovered the importance of setting boundaries by being selective about her work. Since returning to films, including starring with Jamie Lee Curtis in Freakier Friday, she’s found that putting herself first greatly improves her well-being.

Lohan shared that both she and Jamie Lee Curtis value family deeply, and Jamie has taught her the importance of prioritizing self-care—because without taking care of yourself first, it’s hard to support others.

Lohan shared that she loves having a routine and sticking to schedules. Her mornings typically include journaling, sipping green tea, breakfast with her son, and a Pilates session she makes sure to fit in.

Despite her busy days, family remains her top priority—her husband, son, and herself. She emphasized the importance of balance and routine, especially as a parent, explaining that she adapts her life around her child’s schedule.

However, Lohan is no stranger to criticism, as fame often brings intense scrutiny, particularly regarding her appearance.

In the Elle interview, Lohan dismissed rumors about having a facelift and revealed the real secrets behind her glowing skin. She shared that she follows a dedicated skincare routine and a healthy diet, including a daily juice made of carrot, ginger, lemon, olive oil, and apple. She also drinks plenty of green tea and water and loves adding pickled beets to almost everything. Lohan is currently experimenting with new serums to maintain her skin’s glow.

Lohan also shared her skincare habits, including splashing ice-cold water on her face each morning, drinking lemon juice, and adding chia seeds to her water. She uses eye patches daily and is interested in laser treatments. After trying Morpheus8 microneedling once, she realized her skin had become too sensitive, especially after having her son. This prompted her to overhaul her routine and diet, including allergy tests that helped her eliminate triggers, leading to noticeable improvements in her skin.