Sean Astin was actually born Sean Patrick Duke on February 25, 1971 – with his mother’s last name, Duke, in light of his father’s unknown identity (stay tuned to hear when it changed and why). When his mother Patty realized that she was pregnant, she was in between relationships by only a matter of days – which made it hard to know for sure who the father was. And she wasn’t the only one who wanted to know…

Patty, along with some of her relationships around the time of Sean’s birth, was being scrutinized by the masses from a very young age. From the outside looking in, she was jumping from one relationship to another too fast to be normal. America cared about their sweetheart – but what they didn’t know was the circumstances Patty had come from, and who or what had pushed her repeatedly in difficult directions.

Patty had been hustled into child acting by harsh managers and a mother who couldn’t take care of her. These managers were a married couple who trained young stars to become disciplined adult actors. They initially had high hopes for Patty’s older brother, but once Patty was a bit older herself, they saw more potential in her and quickly turned all of their efforts to her. Their method was to practically adopt her, and as such, they were able to dictate her time and practically her entire life.

First, they changed her name, as she discusses in her autobiography, “Call Me Anna.” They eradicated her accent. Then they took it upon themselves to not only find her acting offers, but to also decide whether or not she would take them. At a relatively late age for normal teenage rebellion, Patty began to speak up for herself against the harrowing demands of young stardom, wanting to have some of a say over how she spent her time.

But her managers were just as determined to keep her locked down. They would find ways to intervene, and Patty continued to find ways to evade them. It wasn’t long before she felt trapped in this life that had been decided for her, and felt the urge to turn away in any direction she could. That’s when the media started to take note of some of the more public decisions she was making.

Her big chance for escape seemed to come while she was working on the set of The Patty Duke Show: a sitcom designed around her personality and rise to fame and thus named after her. She and the director Harry Falk became close and began dating, leading him to realize that her managers were overly controlling her. He proposed to her, and in accepting him she was finally given refuge from her managers. However, their marriage only lasted a few years.

Nonetheless, this marriage was the catalyst that finally broke her free of her child star bondages and reliance on her guardians. When this marriage didn’t work out, Patty took some time to herself, focusing on her career. But a few years later, she found herself in a highly criticized affair with another star child, Desi Arnaz, Jr. Not surprisingly to some, this fling came to an end almost as soon as it began.

Arnaz’ parents, actors Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, very publicly disapproved of the fling since their son was 6 years younger than Patty. But Patty herself was still so young, and unequipped to deal with so much of her life being watched. But a visitor she was hosting named Michael Tell offered to make a show out of marrying her to help turn the attention away from Arnaz, and that’s how Patty wound up with husband #2 – for a grand total of 13 days.

Patty and Michael never grew close during their time together, and so she didn’t considered her second marriage to be of consequence – not knowing it might yet have an impact on her future. She quickly moved on to a new relationship with fellow actor John Astin. At the time, John was still married but separated, which briefly got in the way of their relationship’s potential. That’s when Patty found out that she was pregnant with Sean.

Patty knew immediately that she wanted to give her unborn child a different kind of life than the life she had growing up. But not knowing who the father was would naturally make that a little bit tricky. No matter how much she loved John or vice versa, she felt that bringing a baby into their relationship might be more than he had bargained for; he had signed up to be a boyfriend, not necessarily a father.

Neither John nor Patty could be certain if it was his child she was carrying, but fortunately for Patty, he was ready to care for her child. Patty reciprocated by offering to care for John’s three children from his previous marriage in return. Once his divorce was finalized, the two were married in 1972 with a 1-year-old Sean even attending the ceremony. In a momentous impulse, Sean loudly called John “Daddy!” and their future together was decided – for the time being.

However, Patty’s relationship with John wouldn’t see as many years as Sean’s would. In 1984, John and Patty developed a rift, finally divorcing in 1985. All of a sudden, this turn of events gave Patty the feeling that it was time to tell Sean that John might not have been his father after all. For the first time, he heard that a total stranger from his mom’s past might be his father – someone named Desi Arnaz, Jr.

Sean truly loved the man who he had known as his father up until this day. It wasn’t hard for him to decide that John would remain an important figure in his life, whether or not they shared blood. But that didn’t answer his inner dilemma toward what he should do with this new information his mom had just given him. He wondered if he could ever get used to the idea of having a different father.

Despite his wholesome relationship with his large family, he decided to accept his mother’s words and get in touch with the man who he now believed was his biological father. But once he and Arnaz met, they took such a liking to each other that he didn’t want to end their relationship with a simple meeting. He decided to pursue a real bond with Arnaz, which blossomed and lasts to this day. He was just 14 at the time.

Sean went into adulthood juggling a lot on his plate: his single mother, his two fathers, and any inner turmoil that came from having something he’d believed his entire life turn out to be untrue – but he did so with tons of strength and positivity. He was strong not only himself, but also for his mom – whose childhood issues would continue to shape her adulthood – and for his fatherly figures, who also felt some responsibility for his situation.

If you didn’t already love him for his endearing Samwise Gamgee portrayal in Lord of the Rings or Rudy in Rudy, his capacity for positivity is sure to hook you. Despite dealing with stuff at home, Sean followed in his mother’s footsteps and entered into the world of entertainment.

Not letting the unusual confusion over his biological father get in the way of his dreams, Sean continued on to achieve a fulfilling acting career. In 1985, the very same year he received this shocking news and had his reality uprooted, he was given his first major acting role as Mikey Walsh in The Goonies – casting him as the lovable type that he seemed to be in real life, and that he would go on to play in many other feature films.

In 1993, Sean Astin won hearts over around the world again with his touching portrayal of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger in the film Rudy. Here, he plays an aspiring football player with no clear shot at his dreams. But he refuses to give up on them, overcoming a series of obstacles to finally touch the success he’s always dreamed of. There ending is far from perfect, but the battles Rudy fights and is able to win leave him feeling victorious – much like the victories Sean made for himself in real life.

Sean’s career really hit the jackpot when he was cast as the steadfastly optimistic Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings. Sporting a constantly warm smile in the face of a harrowing journey with a million terrifying threats through Middle Earth, Samwise accompanies his friend on a difficult quest out of nothing but the caring in his heart. As it turns out, those Samwise eyes that overflow with kindness and stop you in your tracks were a feature of Sean’s in real life as well.

Ever the sacrificial support system, Sean’s most recent acting gig was as the modest hero Bob Newby on Stranger Things. Here, he volunteers himself as a fatherly figure to the sons of his girlfriend – just in time for the entire family to get trapped in a life-or-death situation together. He gets everybody out and saves the day, but unfortunately doesn’t make it out himself. Does the fatherly figure he plays here seem at all inspired by elements of Sean’s real life? Sit tight: it gets more complicated.

In the midst of Sean’s proliferous acting career, he was approached by a stranger who had even more surprising and uninvited news about his father. The man turned out to be a relative of his mother’s second husband, Michael Tell, who insisted that Michael was Sean’s actual biological father. It seemed impossible, given the short and unromantic nature of this particular marriage. But to Sean, it opened a door that he had never quite been able to close before.

Sean’s chance meeting with a relative of Michael Tell was, in the end, telling of much more. It made Sean face the fact that he still didn’t have a definite answer about his father. At this point, his father’s identity had already been questioned and resolved multiple times, with Sean needing to emotionally adjust to the news each and every time. It must have been exhausting. This time, he didn’t feel equipped to just take in any more news without a bit more certainty.

At this point, a lot of things were right in Sean’s life, and he was grateful for it. He had been raised by a loving father. He had grown up in a large and close family. He was now happily married to his wife of almost 10 years. He’d enjoyed a successful acting career, following in his mother’s footsteps. So, despite feeling obviously frustrated by the complex situation, he was mostly just curious – and so he resolved to solve the mystery once and for all.

He decided that a paternal DNA test was the only way to get the information, and the answers, that he needed. He was ready to close the door that had so far remained open to others, giving them chances to repeatedly uproot such an important part of his life. But in order to know for sure, he needed to get in touch with the last contestant who hadn’t been a part of his life so far. So, he found Michael Tell.

After Michael and the other two men he knew might be his father agreed, the test was done – and the results showed him that Michael Tell was, after all, his biological paternal father. Everyone had thought it the least likely answer since Michael and Patty had hardly known each other. But looking at this picture, the truth seems pretty clear now. Upon learning this information, he reached out to Michael again to ask for one more favor: to get to know each other.

Like with the other candidates, who were all fatherly figures to Sean, he and Michael began to form a bond – which they still have to this day. Whether they were brought together by science, love, or both, their relationship clearly proves that it’s just impossible not to get along with Sean Astin. But, his mother had a harder time accepting the results of the test. When asked about it, she expressed, “I can support his truth as long as my truth, if not supported, is respected.”

Despite the issues that made Patty’s adolescence hard, Hollywood was even better then than it is now at keeping the lid on mental issues. Even though she had troublesome episodes during filming processes that would be witnessed by the cast and crew, the news was kept very quiet. So it wasn’t until she was in her 50’s that the world heard for the first time that she had been struggling with mental disorders for most of her life.

Later in life, she decided to go public about having bipolar disorder. Following this, she wanted to take the knowledge a step further by speaking up for others as well. So she decided to become a spokesperson for mental health, and spent the rest of her life advocating for more research and funding. But part of surviving with mental disorders is holding onto the comforts you’re able to find in the world, and for Patty it was her belief about Sean’s father.

It was hard for Sean to hear Patty’s dismissal, but it didn’t cause any damage to Sean’s relationship with his mother or any of his fatherly figures. Though her aversion may seem strange, the emotional turmoil Patty had gone through was playing a major role in her life. Unlike Sean, his mother wasn’t ready to open her heart to multiple possibilities about a situation so fragile. Can anyone really blame her? Sean, at least, did not.

Sean Astin’s open heart is nothing short of a phenomenon when taking into account the complicated hand that he was dealt in his youth. He has welcomed not one but three fatherly figures into his life, even though many came into it without warning, and even after finding out that some were not his actual father. He cultivated healthy relationships with them all, regardless of uncertain and sometimes unideal circumstances – showing how much he truly appreciated each one as a person.

Patty Duke was only 23 at the time, but she already had quite a career behind her in the arts. She first went on the stage at the age of 13, following in her brother’s footsteps. She had made a legacy for herself by being one of the youngest actors to ever receive an academy award for her captivating performance as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker. However, being one of America’s beloved young stars meant that Patty was right under the public’s watch at the time.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the same strength of character Sean displayed in his personal life, dealing with unusual twists and turns that could have done more damage and left many feelings hurt, was giving him strength in his career. Because Sean found a way to harness the strength he got from his strange circumstances and the fulfillment of many relationships into his career, it never ceased to fulfill him in the same way.

In the end, Sean gets the kind of extended family that few people even believe is possible in this day and age. And without a good nature like his, it certainly wouldn’t be. But thanks to his uncanny ability to find the good in any situation – which is such a part of him that even his roles in film often embody it – Sean has made the improbable possible, and finally has the answers that eluded him for so long.

In 2019, it seems as though Amanda Bynes has all but disappeared from the limelight. She was once at the top of her game, so what happened? The media has been filled with rumors and stories about her life away from the screen, but it seems as though it could have all started earlier than we once thought. Although Amanda had the makings of a permanent mark in Hollywood, it wasn’t long before things changed…

Back in 2002, the world got to learn a new name: Amanda Bynes. The actress was the star of Big Fat Liar, and it seemed as though her career was about to go from strength to strength. She had everything a young star starting out in Hollywood needed to climb to the top. Amanda was passionate about her work, determined to work hard, and had the likability that many fell for. Sadly, it wasn’t long before things seemed to change and things turned sour for Amanda. Years later, however, it seems she’s found her calling, and it’s not acting.

It turns out that Amanda has still been working hard, but not on her acting career. No, it seems as though Amanda’s life is set to take another turn as the former actress has recently received a degree in fashion after studying at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. However, it seems as though Amanda had to work a lot harder than many of her other classmates, as the star has been battling many personal struggles, too.

Amanda first enrolled at the school back in 2014. However, she was kicked out of her class at the beginning of her studies. Thankfully, she later returned to complete the rest of her course. It turns out that Amanda has been enrolled in a rehabilitation center for the last few months of her studies as the star works to overcome her personal demons and get her life back on track. She might have once seemed to have it all, but things changed…

It wasn’t long after Amanda broke onto the acting scene that she was cast as the star of the sketch show The Amanda Show. The show first premiered in 1999 as Amanda took on a whole host of roles and sketches, including Judge Trudy, Blockblister, Moody’s Point, and The Girl’s Room. Who could forget the dancing lobsters? It was everything that youngsters needed to pass the day as Amanda brought a new passion to the screen.

It all started when Nickelodeon producers told Bynes that they envisioned her as a star of her own show, and wanted to create an entire series centered around her, inspired by The Carol Burnett Show. The Amanda Show — was an instant hit and cemented Bynes as one of the funniest and most promising performers of her generation. After just three seasons, it felt like it was time for her to move on, and Bynes began transitioning into other shows and films.

Sadly, it seems as though all good things must come to an end, as the writers of the show wanted to pursue an idea with fellow stars of the show, and Drake and Josh was born. Thankfully, Amanda soon had What I Like About You. The show was a huge success after it debuted in 2002, and this was only the beginning. It wasn’t long before Hollywood wanted more, and Amanda was there to keep the fans happy.

The best bit? Amanda was soon moving from the small screen to the big one as the actress took parts in the likes of She’s The Man and Hairspray. However, the star’s final acting credit was all the way back in 2010 when Amanda took one of the leading roles in Easy A. She was supposed to star in Hall Pass, but later pulled out after she was unhappy with her appearance in the trailer for the movie.

She was initially set to star in the comedy Post Grad, but dropped out with no reason revealed and was replaced by Alexis Bledel, aggravating rumors that she was in personal trouble. However, the star’s final acting credit was back in 2010 when Amanda took one of the leading roles in Easy A. She was supposed to star in Hall Pass but later pulled out after she was unhappy with her appearance in the trailer for the movie. In July 2010, Bynes announced an indefinite hiatus from acting.

After her announcement that she was taking some time off from acting, Bynes found herself feeling adrift, having quit what had been, up until that point, a lifelong pursuit. She found that she had no purpose in life. All her life had been acting and performing, and now she was doing nothing. With all that time on her hands, she would end up staying home all day. It was around this time, Bynes said she started “hanging out with a seedier crowd, and I isolated a lot…”

Another challenge of Amanda Bynes’s life has been her difficulty in finding a stable relationship. Over the years, the former actress has been romantically linked with a number of actors and people in the entertainment industry. From 2001 to 2002, Bynes dated SNL‘s Taran Killam, who of course, is now married to Cobie Smulders. A few years later, she dated Nick Zano and a few years after that, she dated Doug Reinhardt for a couple of months.

Some celebrity couples just look kind of odd together and this is what happened when Amanda Bynes was spotted out on the town one evening with Seth MacFarlane, of all people. In 2008, the two were seen together and rumors started to spread that the actress was dating the Family Guy star. This conveniently happened shortly after Bynes lent her voice to a character in the classic animated series. However, for one reason or another, the rumored romance quickly fizzled out.

It seemed like it was too late before Amanda Bynes realized that she had messed things up with ex-boyfriend Kid Cudi. After over-sharing information about their blossoming relationship on social media, this completely backfired on her and the rapper was out. After describing his talent as “questionable,” she apologized to him. “I want to apologize to Scott Mescudi,” she tweeted Tuesday (June 4). “My account was hacked, I didn’t call him ugly. He’s not ugly. He’s gorgeous and we dated. I loved him.”

Unfortunately, it looked as though this was the beginning of the end for Amanda. Many noted how the star was never able to break from the goofy and loveable characters that she had played throughout her teenage years to the mature actress that she wanted to be. To top it off, many professionals said that Amanda was starting to behave erratically on sets and was no longer a person that people wanted to be around while working.

It turns out that Amanda’s worries all started back when she was 16 years old. She started taking illegal substances after She’s The Man hit the big screen. The star later confessed that she was unhappy with the way that she looked when she was playing a male character and wanted to find a way to help deal with her new emotions. For Amanda, falling for banned substances appeared to be the easiest answer to move forward.

The modern take on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night that saw Bynes play a teen girl dressing and acting like a boy to impersonate her brother, led to an unusual experience after filming. The star later confessed that she was unhappy with the way that she looked when she was playing a male character and wanted to find a way to help deal with her new emotions. For Amanda, falling for banned substances appeared to be the easiest answer to move forward.

Although Amanda was struggling with her body confidence, the actress wanted to continue appearing in many films. That was, until her bad habits started to take more effect. Amanda admits that her mental health took over for many months, while the banned substances began to make it hard for her to remember her lines. Amanda became her own worst critic as she says that she was no longer happy with her performance on screen. It was something she couldn’t ignore.

Although her childhood was dominated by her life as an actress, Amanda Bynes never let go of her dreams of becoming a fashion designer one day. At home, she would draw clothes in her notepad and loved nothing more than putting together illustrations. Her parents knew she was talented and had many strings to her bow from an early age and that is why they let her pursue her dreams. Little did she know though that she would eventually make that dream come true decades later…

At 25 years old, everything was about to change. Amanda decided to retire from the world of acting altogether and head out partying instead. It was here that her pull to these substances grew stronger, and her thoughts became public knowledge. Amanda would often take to social media where she ranted about her feelings toward presidents, other celebrities, and about how the illegal substances were now a huge part of her life – whether we liked it or not.

Now, Amanda’s social media profiles are rarely updated, as the star prefers to keep her personal thoughts to herself. In fact, the actress admits that she wishes there was a way that she could take back everything she said. Amanda lashed out toward many other celebrities along the way and says that she even lied about some of the things she posted over the years. However, Amanda never wants to go back to that place and wants to move forward instead.

One of the first major incidents that the world got to learn about was Amanda’s DUI charge back in 2012. All of a sudden, Amanda was arrested and charged after the star apparently hit another car while she was driving. Although she was charged, Amanda got back behind the wheel just four days later. Sadly, things weren’t to last. Amanda allegedly hit another car on the highway and drove off before a handful of other incidents occured over the next few months.

There were soon a handful of other strange incidents, including sending harsh messages via social media, getting accused of living out of her car, and getting thrown out of her spin class after the teacher allegedly said that Amanda was behaving erratically. However, things were all about to change. Amanda announced that she would be heading to New York to work on her fashion degree and that she would no longer be acting. That wasn’t all…

Amanda’s management team decided to drop the star as Amanda no longer wanted to be a part of Hollywood. Many of us have tried to reinvent ourselves over the years, and it seemed as though the star was no exception. However, no one had any idea that Amanda would take things so far. Amanda uploaded several snaps to social media, where she showed off her new wig collection as well as her facial piercings. The Amanda many knew and loved was gone.

It once seemed as though Amanda blamed her parents for a lot of her downfall. To top it off, the star wanted to let the world know that she didn’t want either of her parents to have access to her funds. Amanda worried that her parents would try to live off of her earnings. However, the star now says that her mom and dad have been fundamental in getting her help, and they were a huge part of her recovery.

Back in 2014, it was Amanda’s parents who placed the actress in a rehabilitation center. The media had spent years following her every move in a way that had rarely been seen before. We have seen other stars have come into tough times over the years, but the news always took a few days before it reached the media. However, Amanda was sending out messages and giving the world a live update on her journey every step of the way.

Amanda admits that it was her sudden free time that led her down the dark path in the first place. The star had always been so busy with her acting. However, that all changed when she stepped away from the spotlight. In fact, Amanda says that she needed something to fill her days, so she started to hang around with a seedier crowd and eventually changed her life. All of a sudden, she was no longer the goofy actress.

Bynes began acting professionally at the young age of seven, first appearing in a TV advertisement for Buncha Crunch candies. During her childhood, she also performed on stage in renditions of Annie, The Secret Garden, The Music Man, and The Sound of Music. A few years later, she went to an acting camp at the Los Angeles Laugh Factory before being spotted by a network. Bynes began to rise to prominence, however, there is one important detail about her childhood that has benefited her in the long run…

It seemed as though everything culminated in 2014. After many years of trying to get her life back on track, Amanda posted several updates about her family that were later proven to be untrue. However, Amanda said that it was the microchip in her brain that caused her to post all of the accusations in the first place – a chip that had apparently been ordered by her dad. It wasn’t long before Amanda was back at a rehabilitation center.

Thankfully, Amanda has put the past behind her, as the star has been sober for the last four years. As well as thanking her family for all of their help, it looks as though Amanda is also taking a break from social media and working more on her personal life instead. That doesn’t mean that things are simple. Amanda has continued support from her rehabilitation centers to try and ensure that she doesn’t head back down the same path again.

There is no denying that Amanda Bynes said some terrible things on social media over the years. Ultimately, her use of illicit substances had a part to play in that and she is regretful for what happened. “I’m really ashamed and embarrassed with the things I said,” she said. “I can’t turn back time but if I could, I would. And I’m so sorry to whoever I hurt and whoever I lied about because it truly eats away at me.”

Many of the professionals have spoken about Amanda’s recovery and how the star has experienced the worst of the world but has learned how to come out the other side. In fact, they believe that Amanda now has an entirely new outlook on life as a result. They now feel that Amanda is a great spokesperson for young people who could be tempted by illegal substances as she has been there and seen what they can do.

Bynes’ Instagram account, only active since September 2019, has been filled with selfies, and it’s rare that she mentions or features anyone else. But early this year, on her Instagram page, she announced her engagement to Paul Michael. A few weeks later, there were rumors that they broke off the relationship, but these reports were later revealed to be false. Michael and Bynes stated that their Instagram accounts had been hacked. In March 2020, they announced as a couple that they were expecting their first child.

The Internet and various social media platforms may have become much more sympathetic to celebs navigating substance abuse or mental health issues over the past few years. But before that, the Internet was a lot snarkier and a lot more speculative. “It isn’t fun when people diagnose you with what they think you are, that was always really bothersome to me,” Bynes said when discussing the many headlines over the years that attempted to put a label to her behavior.

It turns out that Amanda already has some experience in fashion. The young star teamed up with Steve and Barry’s back in 2007 as she helped to design a range called Dear. Letting go of acting meant that Amanda had a lot of time on her hands – time that she needed to fill. Amanda started to watch The Hills and realized how much fun some of the stars were having at their fashion class, so she decided to sign up herself.

After many years in the program, Amanda is now a fully qualified designer. It looks as though the world is her oyster. Amanda admits that she wants to focus on the future and recreating the person that she knows she is rather than the one that many people have grown to know over the years. However, that’s not all. It seems as though Amanda also has hopes to return to acting. That’s right; Amanda would love to get back in the saddle.

Following a 2013 incident in which Amanda Bynes allegedly set fire to a driveway, the actress was put under a conservatorship. If this term sounds familiar, it is because another former child actress has also been put under one – Britney Spears.

A conservatorship is when a judge appoints a trusted guardian or a protector to manage the everyday life or financial activities of a person deemed unable to. The actress remains under conservatorship almost a decade later.

Though many of us associate Amanda Bynes with her roles as a child actress or teen, she is actually in her mid-thirties. While it may seem like the past decade or so has been filled with everything from substance abuse to strange social media posts, her lawyer hopes that the actress will find some inner clarity.

He told one media outlet that the actress is living by the beach as she attends classes and that she fills her time with meditation and spinning classes.

Fans of the actress know that she has some serious musical talent. Not only did she act in the film adaptation of Hairspray, but she also contributed two songs to the film’s soundtrack. In January 2021, she shared a snippet of her rap song called “Diamonds”.

The song featured her fiancé, Paul Michael rapping under the stage name Precise. Though the song was a departure from the songs featured in Hairspray, fans were still supportive of her burgeoning rap career.

By 2013, Amanda Bynes had already shown signs of mental health struggles and issues with substance abuse. Little did fans know that things were about to get worse for the troubled star. That July, Bynes was placed under an involuntary psychiatric hold known as a 5150 hold.

The actress was spotted near a canister of gas and a driveway on fire. Believing she could be a danger to herself or to others, she was held for up to 72 hours. Following this incident, she was also placed under a conservatorship.

While Bynes’ erratic behavior and social media posts have typically been the center of attention, her love life has also been making the headlines. After announcing her engagement to Paul Michael in 2020, the two have been involved in an on-again-off-again relationship for years.

With both taking a break from social media, fans have turned to paparazzi shots of the couple to understand their relationship status. As of late 2021, the couple is still together.

Many believe that one of the reasons why Amanda Bynes and her fiancé, Paul Michael, have such a strong bond is that they have both faced similar struggles. Bynes met Michael while the two were living in a sober living home.

After dating for just three months, Michael asked the star to marry him. Even as the two work hard to maintain their sobriety and relationship, Michael is very supportive of Bynes calling her his “best friend.”

In addition to sporting a heart-shaped face tattoo, the former star showed off some new body art with a very cryptic phrase. In the summer of 2020, fans spotted her new ink which reads, “See you on the other side” in small cursive letters.

While many speculate that the tattoo can symbolize a variety of different things, many feel that it may have a darker meaning as the phrase is often used in the context of death or a breakup.

Although she was an internationally-recognized star when she enrolled in Los Angeles’ Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, she still had to work hard. Many of Bynes’ classes involved learning more about the business side of the fashion industry.

One of her favorite courses was her Merchandising Math class in which she learned about retail mark-up, retail value, and pricing merchandise. Though she was never a fan of math, the course changed her mind.

While Bynes wasn’t getting the best praise from social media followers or the paparazzi, the former actress made a positive impact on her professors. Kathi Gilbert, an assistant dean of admissions at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising told Paper Magazine, “Instructors love her. Love her,” and that she was an “amazing student”.

After earning an Associate’s of Arts degree in Merchandise Product Development, the actress announced that she would like to continue studying in order to earn her Bachelor’s Degree.

Many recognize Hollywood heartthrob Channing Tatum from Magic Mike, but the actor’s early roles were actually far tamer. Tatum got his big break in Bynes’ comedy, What a Girl Wants. Bynes revealed that she “fought for Channing [to get cast in] that movie because he wasn’t famous yet.”

Though producers worried Tatum was too old for the role, Bynes apparently told them, “This guy’s a star — every girl will love him!” It turns out that she was right, Tatum is one of the most in-demand actors at the moment!

Amanda Bynes’s resurgence was in full effect when she returned to Instagram in explosive fashion after reopening her account and sharing an awesome selfie. Gone are the days when she sported blonde hair. Instead, she is now rocking a bright pink look and the internet went crazy. In less than 24 hours, she accumulated over 50,000 followers. Bynes is also wearing a hip nose ring. And it didn’t take long before Bynes added another photo, sending fans crazy again!

As previously mentioned, Amanda Bynes has been loving life ever since graduating from FIDM as a qualified designer. Shortly after relaunching her Instagram account and racking up tens of thousands of followers, she posted a selfie of her with one of her co-students during that unforgettable day. There is no denying that this was one of the brightest periods in Amanda’s life so far and she is ready to sink her teeth into the world of fashion design. That’s not all she posted though…

It seemed like fans were struggling to keep up with Amanda Bynes’s hair color. With each photo she posted on her Instagram account, her hair appeared to change color! This time, she simply posted a photo of herself with purple hair and out of nowhere, it generated over 15,000 likes and thousands of comments. It was clear that her sheer presence captured the imaginations of many fans. However, the photo that got the most reactions was just around the corner…

Before her fans got the chance to react to her pink locks, Amanda Bynes posted another photo of her reverting back to her blonde hair! However, she was quick to confirm that it was taken before she dyed her hair pink. This time, she was taking a photo of herself in a tattoo shop, making fans wonder if she was going to get a tattoo or not. “@ the tattoo shop before I went pink! With the amazing @tattoosbyspooky,” she wrote.

When you take into consideration that Amanda Bynes started working in the entertainment industry at just seven years of age, some of the issues she has been through later on in life make a bit more sense. Any child who starts acting in movies and TV shows at age 7 is bound to have an unconventional childhood and Amanda was a prime example of that.