Honestly, if you grew up in the late nineties or early 2000s, Amanda Bynes was basically the queen of your living room. Whether it was the chaotic energy of The Amanda Show or that iconic "I'm a girl!" reveal in She's the Man, she had this effortless, rubber-faced comedic timing that felt like a once-in-a-generation talent. But then, the screen went dark. She retired at 24 via a tweet and spent years in a complex legal conservatorship.
So, what is Amanda Bynes doing now? It's not the Hollywood comeback some might expect, but it's a very real, very human journey of reinvention that’s currently playing out in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
The Post-Conservatorship Reality
For nearly a decade—nine years to be exact—Amanda lived under a conservatorship managed by her parents. That ended in March 2022. Since then, she hasn't jumped back onto a film set. Instead, she’s been navigating the messy transition to independent adulthood at 39.
🔗 Read more: Celebrity Death This Week: What Most People Get Wrong About These Recent Losses
It hasn't been a straight line. In early 2023, she had a highly publicized mental health setback in Los Angeles that led to a psychiatric hold. More recently, though, she’s been much more vocal on social media about her stability. In early 2026, she’s been sharing more frequent updates, appearing with bleached hair and her signature septum piercing, looking like someone who is finally calling her own shots, for better or worse.
A Career in Acrylics?
One of the most surprising things about her life today is her pivot to the beauty industry. She isn't just "interested" in nails; she actually went back to school for it.
After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) with an Associate’s degree in 2019, she decided that a "consistent job" was more her speed than the flakey world of entertainment. She’s been studying manicurist theory and practicing her acrylics to pass the state board exam. She actually told her followers that she wants to work in a regular nail salon.
Imagine walking into a shop for a fill and having the star of What a Girl Wants ask you what shape you want. It sounds like a movie plot, but for Amanda, it’s about finding a "consistent path" away from the cameras.
The Health Journey and Ozempic
If you’ve seen the paparazzi photos lately, you’ve noticed she looks different. She’s been incredibly candid about it, too. In late 2025 and moving into 2026, Amanda started documenting her weight loss journey using Ozempic.
She was very open about her starting weight of 173 pounds and her goal to get down to 130. By December 2025, she reported losing 28 pounds, bringing her down to 152. She mentioned that her depression had led to weight gain, and she’s using the medication—specifically the injection version, which she says works better for her than the pill—to feel more comfortable in her own skin.
It’s a vulnerable look at the body image issues that have plagued her since her acting days. She’s even mentioned that she hates paparazzi pictures because of how she perceives her own appearance, which is part of why she's so focused on this transformation.
Fashion, Art, and "Asspizza"
While she waits to get her manicurist license, she hasn't completely abandoned her FIDM roots. In late 2024, she collaborated with the streetwear designer Austin Babbitt, better known as Asspizza.
They released a limited run of T-shirts and shorts that featured Amanda’s original artwork. They sold out almost instantly. There was even talk of a pop-up art show in Los Angeles to showcase more of her sketches. It’s a side of her that feels very "L.A. indie"—low-key, creative, and totally disconnected from the polished Nickelodeon image we all remember.
The OnlyFans Era
In April 2025, Amanda joined OnlyFans. But before the internet lost its mind, she clarified her intentions. She isn't posting "sleazy" content. Instead, she’s using the platform as a way to DM directly with her fans.
She charges a subscription fee—reportedly around $50 a month—and uses it as a controlled environment to interact with people without the toxicity of mainstream comment sections. It’s a bit of a side hustle, one she said she’s doing to make some "serious cash" while she focuses on her other projects.
Her Relationship Status
Romance has been a bit of a rollercoaster too. After a long, on-again-off-again engagement with Paul Michael ended in 2023, she’s moved on.
As of late 2025 and into 2026, she’s been linked to a guy named Zachary, who reportedly owns an event and security business. They’ve been spotted holding hands in Hollywood, and sources say it’s a low-key, casual vibe. No big red carpet debuts, just two people hanging out and getting to know each other.
Where She Stands with Acting
Will she ever act again? Honestly, probably not.
She’s been very clear that watching herself in Easy A was the "breaking point" for her. She was struggling with substance abuse and body dysmorphia at the time, and seeing herself on screen triggered a deep depression. She’s called her Twitter retirement "stupid" in hindsight, but the sentiment remains: she doesn't like how she looks on camera.
She briefly tried a podcast in late 2023 (Amanda Bynes & Paul Sieminski: The Podcast), but she pulled the plug after just one episode. She realized she’d rather have a "consistent job" than chase the dragon of fame again.
Keeping Up With Amanda
If you want to follow her journey, her Instagram and TikTok are the places to be. She’s much more active there now, posting videos of her outfits, her new tattoos (like the matching ones she got with her friend Dylan), and updates on her hair transformations.
She’s survived a lot. From the pressures of child stardom to a decade-long legal battle for her freedom, she’s currently in a phase of life where she’s just trying to be a person. Not a "star," not a "cautionary tale," just a woman who wants to do nails and make art.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check her official Instagram: This is where she posts the most frequent updates on her weight loss and art.
- Look for Asspizza collabs: If you want to support her art, keep an eye on Austin Babbitt’s site for future drops.
- Support local mental health: Amanda’s story is a reminder of how tough the industry can be; supporting organizations like NAMI helps others navigating similar struggles.