‘What Has She Done to Her Face?’: Users Can’t ‘Recognize’ This ’00s Teen Idol After Long Battle with Addiction — Pics
The young actress pictured in 1998 | Source: Getty Images
After her latest appearance, fans now question what changes the star has undergone and what her journey has entailed. Let’s revisit her beginnings as a Hollywood star and the journey that led her to where she is today.
The child star pictured in April 2000 | Source: Getty Images
Her career began before she started school when she modeled for Ford at just three years. In just a short period, she had appeared in over 60 commercials for major brands like Pizza Hut and Jell-O.
The young actress photographed in March 2000 | Source: Getty Images
By the age of seven, she had transitioned to acting, landing her first significant role on the soap opera “Another World” as Ali Fowler. But it was in 1998, at just ten years old, that she captured widespread attention with her starring role in the Disney remake of “The Parent Trap.”
The young actress photographed during the “Parent Trap” premiere in 1998 | Source: Getty Images
The child star pictured on July 28, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
By her early teens, she was a go-to talent for family-friendly blockbusters. “Freaky Friday,” where she starred opposite Jamie Lee Curtis, showcased her ability to balance heartfelt moments with humor, while her turn in “Mean Girls” cemented her as a pop culture icon.
The young star pictured with Jamie Lee Curtis on April 30, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
The young star pictured on July 26, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
In the latter, she played Cady Heron, a transfer student navigating high school’s cliques, in a performance that remains one of her most recognized roles to this day.
The young actress attends The 2003 Teen Choice Awards on August 2, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
Rachel McAdams as Regina George and the child icon as Cady Heron during a scene on “Mean Girls” in April 2004 | Source: Getty Images
Although she ultimately played Cady, she took an active role in developing her character’s look, even decorating props like her cell phone with Swarovski crystals to add a personal touch. As her star continued to rise, she became one of the most recognizable and bankable faces of the early 2000s.
The actress pictured in Los Angeles, California, on June 1, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
Photographed with a fellow actress in Hollywood, California, on on June 27, 2006 | Source: Getty Images
A Tumultuous Fall from Grace
While her on-screen performances solidified her place in Hollywood, her personal life began to unravel in her late teens. The pressures of fame, combined with the temptations of the spotlight, took a toll on her.
The actress photographed on June 3, 2004 | Source: Getty Images
The actress in a mug shot after her arrest in Los Angeles, California, in November 2007 | Source: Getty Images
In a candid 2013 interview, she reflected on this period, admitting, “It was the first time I’d taken drugs; I was out in a club with people I shouldn’t have been with, and took cocaine, and got in the car. It was so stupid.”
Despite her acknowledgment of the mistake, the public and media scrutiny around her actions intensified. Accusations of theft, frequent stints in rehab, and breaches of parole added to her mounting troubles.
The actress pictured on February 15, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
The actress attends a court hearing at Beverly Hills Municipal Court on October 16, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
However, she maintained her innocence, explaining, “They didn’t show the real in-store video tape to anyone, because that shows the store attendant putting it on me and me taking out cash to pay for it.”
The former child icon attends a probation revocation hearing at the Beverly Hills Courthouse on July 6, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
The child star attends the amfAR New York Gala on February 8, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
As headlines about her struggles overshadowed her work, her career began to stall. Despite her talent and past successes, she found herself battling not only addiction but also the relentless judgment of the public eye, making this period one of the most challenging ones in her life.
The former child star speaks to the press on October 8, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
In recent years, the former teen idol, Lindsay Lohan, has taken significant steps toward rebuilding her life and career. She made headlines in 2022 when she revealed she had married financier Bader Shammas.
The actress attends the Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2023 NYFW Show February 9, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Months later, they welcomed a baby boy named Luai—an Arabic name meaning “shield” or “protector.” The exact date of his birth, though kept private, marked a new chapter in her life.
Kristin Chenoweth, Lindsay Lohan, and Ian Harding attend the screening of Netflix’s “Our Little Secret” on November 18, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Lindsay Lohan and Bader Shammas attend the screening of Netflix’s “Our Little Secret” on November 18, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Social media erupted with comments, with many fans expressing shock over Lohan’s appearance. “What has she done to her face?” one user questioned, while others speculated that Botox or other cosmetic enhancements contributed to her changed appearance.
Lindsay Lohan arrives at the screening of Netflix’s “Our Little Secret” on November 18, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Such comments included, “I couldn’t even recognize her! Too much work done” and “She looks like she’s had tons of plastic surgery.” Others offered similar remarks, such as, “She definitely got some work done, I see,” and, “She’ll look like Goldie Hawn in a few years.”
Lindsay Lohan attends the screening of Netflix’s “Our Little Secret” on November 18, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Lindsay Lohan is seen arriving at the screening of Netflix’s “Our Little Secret” on November 18, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Others reflected on her growth and resilience, with one writing, “She looks so grown and gorgeous I can’t believe this was the little girl from ‘The Parent Trap.'”
Lindsay Lohan is seen at the screening of Netflix’s “Our Little Secret” on November 18, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Through it all, her transformation continues to inspire conversation, with many acknowledging her resilience in the face of adversity. Whether supportive or critical, the reactions highlight how deeply her journey resonates with fans, reminding the world of the human side behind the celebrity.