Her talent and charisma quickly led to her own spin-off, The Amanda Show, which premiered three years later in 1999. This show not only solidified Bynes as a star but also helped launch the careers of other notable Nickelodeon figures.
Nickelodeon Success and Transition to Film
Bynes’ journey to fame took off in the mid-1990s with her role on All That in 1996, and it skyrocketed when The Amanda Show debuted in 1999. Throughout her time on Nickelodeon, she earned six Kids’ Choice Awards and also ventured into feature films like Big Fat Liar and What a Girl Wants.
A Sudden Retirement from Acting
By the late ’90s and early 2000s, Bynes had become a well-known name in households across America. However, in 2010, she surprised many by announcing her retirement from acting. She stepped away from several movie roles and turned to Twitter to express her feelings about the industry.
In 2010, she tweeted, “Being an actress isn’t as fun as it may seem.” Around the same time, she made it clear she was leaving Hollywood behind: “If I don’t love something anymore, I stop doing it. I don’t love acting anymore, so I’ve stopped doing it. I know 24 is a young age to retire, but you heard it here first.”
Personal Struggles and Legal Issues
After her retirement, Bynes faced numerous personal struggles, including battles with alcohol and substance abuse, along with legal issues stemming from several driving incidents. In 2013, her parents sought and were granted conservatorship over her, and by 2018, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
End of Conservatorship and Attempted Comeback
The conservatorship remained in place until 2022, when a judge ruled it was no longer needed after Bynes had spent years in treatment (as reported by Deadline).
In 2017, after three years of sobriety, Bynes made an appearance on Good Morning America where she revealed she was considering a return to acting: “I do miss acting and I actually have something surprising to tell you, I’m going to start acting again.” Despite her intentions, she has yet to take on any new film or television roles.
Recent Years: Mental Health Challenges and Podcast Attempt
In January 2023, Bynes was set to reunite with her former All That castmates, marking what would have been her first public appearance since her conservatorship ended. Unfortunately, the reunion did not occur, as Bynes continued to struggle with her mental health.
In March 2023, Bynes was hospitalized after being found wandering the streets without clothes. She remained in a psychiatric facility until July 2023 (as noted by TMZ).
Later in 2023, Bynes attempted to step back into the public eye by launching a podcast with her close friend Paul Sieminski. The podcast, titled Amanda Bynes & Paul Sieminski: The Podcast, was short-lived and was canceled after just one episode.
Current Status: Life Out of the Spotlight
Since then, Bynes has maintained a low profile, sharing occasional updates with her followers on Instagram. In a March post, she reassured her fans that she is “doing a lot better now” (according to Buzzfeed).
As 2024 progresses, Bynes has remained mostly out of the spotlight, with her social media updates continuing to be infrequent.