Amanda Bynes, once a beloved Nickelodeon star known for All That and The Amanda Show, has taken a quieter path since stepping away from acting in 2010. As of July 2025, at age 39, she’s focusing on personal growth, creative pursuits, and mental health recovery, keeping a low profile while occasionally engaging with fans. Here’s a detailed look at where Amanda Bynes is now, tailored for a U.S. audience interested in her journey.
Current Whereabouts and Activities
- Creative Ventures: Bynes has pivoted from acting to other creative outlets. In December 2024, she co-hosted a pop-up art show in Los Angeles with streetwear designer Austin Babbitt (aka Asspizza), showcasing her artwork and selling out a T-shirt and shorts collection featuring her designs. She announced plans for another art and clothing pop-up event in 2025, signaling her continued passion for visual arts.
- OnlyFans Presence: In April 2025, Bynes joined OnlyFans, not for NSFW content but to connect directly with fans via messaging, with a subscription fee of $50 per month. She emphasized her goal is meaningful interaction, stating, “I won’t be posting any sleazy content.” This move reflects her desire to control her narrative and engage with supporters on her terms.
- Education and Career Shift: Bynes is pursuing a career in cosmetology, specifically as a manicurist. In April 2025, she shared on Instagram that she’s back in school studying manicurist theory and practicing acrylics to prepare for her licensing exam, aiming to work in a nail salon. She previously graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in 2019 with an associate’s degree in product development, showcasing her interest in fashion and beauty.
- Social Media Updates: Bynes maintains a cryptic yet active social media presence, primarily on Instagram (@amandaamandaamanda1986). In March 2025, she posted a video from a hotel room, sparking curiosity among fans, and in May 2025, she shared a TikTok about growing out her bangs and getting matching tattoos with her best friend Dylan. These updates suggest she’s engaging with fans selectively while prioritizing privacy.
Personal and Health Journey
- Mental Health and Recovery: Bynes has been open about her mental health struggles, including depression and past substance abuse. In March 2024, she shared on Instagram that she was “doing a lot better,” using coping strategies like “opposite action” to stay motivated. However, 2023 saw setbacks, including a psychiatric hold in March after a public incident and another in June after she called police on herself. She voluntarily sought treatment, showing commitment to her recovery.
- Physical Transformation: Bynes has been candid about her body image journey. In June 2025, she announced she’s using Ozempic to slim down from 173 pounds to a goal of 130, aiming to feel confident in paparazzi photos. She’s also undergone cosmetic procedures, including lip fillers and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), to boost her self-esteem.
- Conservatorship Ended: After nearly nine years under a conservatorship managed by her parents, Lynn and Rick Bynes, it ended in March 2022. Bynes expressed gratitude to her fans, lawyer, and parents, stating she’s focused on living independently and prioritizing her well-being. Unlike high-profile cases like Britney Spears’, her conservatorship was described as collaborative, with no family conflict.
Why She Stepped Away from Acting
Bynes retired from acting at 24 after her final role in Easy A (2010), citing dissatisfaction with her appearance and performance, exacerbated by substance use. She struggled with Adderall abuse, initially taken to stay thin, which impacted her ability to work, leading her to quit projects like Hall Pass. Her public struggles from 2012–2014, including DUIs, hit-and-runs, and an incident involving a small fire in a stranger’s driveway, led to legal troubles and her conservatorship. Despite briefly considering an acting comeback in 2017, she has not returned to the screen, focusing instead on personal stability and new career paths.
Relevance for U.S. Fans
For American fans who grew up watching Bynes on Nickelodeon, her journey resonates as a story of resilience. Her shift to fashion, art, and cosmetology reflects a desire to redefine success outside Hollywood’s pressures. While she hasn’t commented on Nickelodeon scandals like those in the 2024 Quiet on Set docuseries, her focus on mental health aligns with broader conversations about child star challenges, making her story relevant to U.S. audiences following entertainment news.
Looking Ahead
Bynes’ future seems centered on creative expression and personal growth. Her art shows, OnlyFans engagement, and cosmetology studies suggest she’s carving a new path while maintaining a connection with her fanbase. Though acting remains behind her, her openness about mental health and recovery inspires fans rooting for her comeback in a different form.
Sources: BollywoodShaadis.com, Parade.com, Yahoo.com, MorganPhotography.com, Women.com, Koimoi.com