There’s a certain level of commitment that comes with getting a tattoo – and even more of a risk when it’s a face tattoo. Just ask Amanda Bynes, who appears to have added some fresh face ink to her collection.
The actress took to Instagram yesterday to post a selfie in which it looks like she’s had the outline of a heart permanently etched into her cheek. Bynes provided no explanation of the tattoo in the caption apart from a mysterious alien emoji.
In March 2019, it was reported that Bynes had been checked into a mental health facility after stepping back into the limelight and consequently relapsing. Prior to her relapse, Bynes spoke about her past struggles in a revealing interview with PAPER magazine.
After being unhappy with her appearance in a number of films including 2006’s She’s The Man, Bynes turned to Adderall in hopes it would help her lose weight. In 2010, she announced her retirement from acting via Twitter and began experimenting with drugs including cocaine and ecstasy.
“I had a lot of time on my hands and I would ‘wake and bake’ and literally be stoned all day long,” she told PAPER Magazine. “I got really into my drug usage…and it became a really dark, sad world for me.”
Bynes was extremely active on Twitter during her addiction, and would often make headlines for posting outlandish things. “I’m really ashamed and embarrassed with the things I 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. It makes me feel so horrible and sick to my stomach and sad,” she said, adding that whenever she would get high “It was like an alien had literally invaded my body.”
In April 2019, Bynes family attorney told E! News that “Amanda is doing great, working on herself, and taking some well-deserved time off to focus on her well-being after graduating FIDM [Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising] in December.” However, it has since been reported that Bynes has fled the mental health facility she was checked into around the same time she posted the face tattoo photo to Instagram.
While getting a face tattoo might seem like a bold choice, Amanda Bynes is no stranger to altering her appearance. Over the years, the actress has sported multiple face piercings, wigs and brightly coloured hair.
Whether the face tattoo is real or not, the more important question here is: is Amanda Bynes getting the help and support she needs for her mental health and wellbeing? We can only hope.
If you, or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.