Lindsey Shaw says she was fired from Pretty Little Liars for ‘drug use’ and ‘relationship with food’
Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide alumna Lindsey Shaw starred in more than 40 episodes of Pretty Little Liars for the first five seasons before returning for the final episode.
According to Lindsey Shaw, difficulties in her personal life led to her being fired “Pretty Little Liars.” For the first five seasons of the hit ABC Family series, Shaw had a recurring role as Paige McCullers, appearing in more than 40 episodes.
She was completely absent when the show returned for season six when Shaw spoke on the latest “Ned’s Declassified Podcast Survival Guide” about how her drug use and unhealthy “attitude to food” led to the decision to fire her.
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“I kind of got fired on ‘Pretty Little Liars’ season five for losing weight,” Shaw told former “Ned” co-stars Devon Werkheiser and Daniel Curtis Lee The Hollywood Reporter“And it was really an embarrassing, embarrassing thing.”
“When I looked too skinny, I didn’t look good, and then, you know, when I gained weight again, I couldn’t stand being too heavy, so that kind of got into this stupid cycle,” she continued.
The actress added that her poor handling of her “relationship with food” made her feel more confident when she was between work and job, “because I was always like, ‘Oh, I could always get more Adderall’.. .and that too.”okay with that.”
Shaw shared how she received the message, which she believes came at show creator I. Marlene King’s office. “She just said, ‘Well, we’re letting you go,'” Shaw recalled, getting emotional. “She says, ‘It’s not because of your acting.’ She’s like, ‘But do you have someone you can talk to?’ And I’m like, ‘Um, no.’ And she’s like, ‘We’re going to find someone, and then we’ll have to let you go for now.’”
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Shaw was fired in the show’s fifth season, but got a really powerful farewell scene with her former rival and sometime lover, played by Shay Mitchell.
Mitchell was a huge support to Shaw even as she struggled with her addiction last season. The actress recalled how her co-star brought her protein powder; They shared a nutritionist. “She means: ,Girl!‘” Shaw said. “Yes, it was awful.”
She also said she appreciated that she was released “with so much care.” More significantly, she was invited back for the show’s final season to give her and her character a fitting farewell.
“It was really sweet because they brought me back in season seven and it was so nice of this writing team to see that relationship and that character,” she said, adding that it’s still “hard.”
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Shaw said that prior to this meeting with King, she never returned to that point in her career. “That’s a hell of a lot, dude,” she said TVLine. “Taking care of your body can lead you to aspire in all sorts of directions, from plastic surgery to medication to restraint and all kinds of shit.”
That’s why the return to the show was so impressive. “I’ve used this show as a therapy session every time I’ve been there,” she explained. “I cried harder there than I had in all six years alone. Everything flowed into Paige. … It was an awesome and crazy and scary and sad and wonderful and tragic ride.”
Shaw shared that she’s developed a much healthier relationship with her body and is thrilled that the cultural landscape in Hollywood has evolved so much when it comes to talking about body image issues.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, get help. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) provides 24/7 free and confidential support to people in need.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) at 1-800-931-2237 or go to NationalEatingDisorders.org.