Lindsay Lohan swaps Hollywood chaos for Dubai calm - and she’s loving it

In a candid revelation, actress Lindsay Lohan shared her journey of relocating from the glitz of Hollywood to the tranquillity of Dubai, a move she made nearly a decade ago in search of normalcy and privacy.

Speaking with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on the American talk show "Kelly and Mark", Lohan reflected on her life in the vibrant city, famously known as the City of Gold.

“It’s just far away from Hollywood and I live a very normal life,” Lohan said, explaining how her decision to leave the United States has profoundly impacted her family dynamics.

The actress, now 38, expressed relief at being free from the incessant attention of paparazzi.

“There’s no worry of like, I can’t go eat at this place because someone’s going to take a picture of my son,” she added, alluding to the restrictive measures surrounding privacy in Dubai, where it is illegal to take photographs of individuals without their consent.

Describing her newfound sense of security, Lohan stated, “I feel very safe. You can’t take a picture of someone else if you’re at a restaurant. You have to ask the person, which is a big difference. Privacy is key.”

This sense of safety is particularly important for Lohan as she raises her two-year-old son, Luai, with her husband, Bader Shammas.

Despite her love for Dubai, the former child star admitted to a longing for the unique flavour of New York cuisine, particularly its pizza, which she claims has yet to be matched in her current location.

“I still haven’t found pizza in Dubai that’s as good as New York’s,” Lohan lamented, highlighting the bittersweet nature of her relocation.

As a mother of a two-year-old, Lohan also shared her experiences of parenting while travelling.

“We’ve been travelling and he is with us. So we’re really strict on nap time, and he is still napping,” she explained.

In a separate interview, Lohan contrasted her experiences in New York City and Los Angeles, ring-fencing each city’s distinct energy.

“In New York, there’s no worry; no one bothers us. Everyone has their own thing going on,” she noted, suggesting that while she appreciates the space that Los Angeles offers, she relishes the privacy and peace Dubai brings.

“The funny thing is, in Dubai, I get all of those things. I get the privacy, I get the peace, I get the space. I don’t have to worry; I feel safe,” she asserted.

Despite living predominantly in Dubai for the past several years, she indicated that work commitments in the US have seen her return less frequently to her home country.

As her son approaches the age where schooling becomes essential, Lohan expressed uncertainty about whether Dubai will remain their permanent residence.

She and Shammas face the upcoming decision of where best to educate their son, with ambitions of providing him the best opportunities.