Fans Are Enraged Over David Letterman’s 2013 Interview With Lindsay Lohan Where He Made Her Cry

An old David Letterman interview has landed him in the center of a public reckoning over the media’s treatment of celebrities. The interview dates back to 2013 when the famed TV host interviewed Lindsay Lohan and drilled her with a series of personal questions that made her visibly uncomfortable.

As clips from the sitdown cropped up around the Internet, fans reacted on social media, expressing shock and anger over Letterman’s line of questioning.

Watch David Letterman’s interview with Lindsay Lohan here

Lohan appeared on the show amid a press run for Scary Movie 5 — one of her comeback films after a public battle with drugs and alcohol, which led to several rehab stints and court cases.

At first, things seemed to be going well. The cheery Lohan laughed along as Letterman did his shtick and read some of the past jokes he’d made about her life. But the tone of the interview shifted when he started questioning her about rehab.

“We didn’t discuss this in the pre-interview,” she said at a point. “We’re here for a movie. Let’s stay on the positive.”

But Letterman continued on, pulling out a “list of things [she’d] endured” to read through. Lohan quickly snatched the paper away, laughing loudly as she read through the topics. “I thought you were going to be nice!” she exclaimed as she skimmed the page.

Although she was clearly uncomfortable throughout the interview, Lohan handled his questions with wit and aplomb, which left Letterman praising her.

“You’re a good sport. I mean, we never thought we’d see you again, honestly, you know, because of the jokes and stuff. But yet you have enough spine, enough sense of yourself, enough poise to come out here and talk to me,” he said at the end of the interview as Lohan started tearing up.

David Letterman’s interview with Lindsay Lohan just resurfaced

The interview resurfaced amid the release Framing Britney Spears — an FX documentary that looks into the singer’s life and the treatment she received from the press. After its release, many viewers remembered many other young stars who also faced intense scrutiny in the media, including Lohan. As her interview with Letterman, in particular, came up, social media users went online to share their thoughts.

“I remember watching this the night it aired, feeling so sad for her, even though at the end of her appearance he did say he loved her/was happy she’s healthy, & she teared up. I loved Letterman but this is a great illustration of how no one let her move on,” read one tweet.

“David Letterman was so vile, misogynistic, and disrespectful towards her. He humiliated and belittled her in front of his audience,” read another tweet. “It’s sad up how she felt like she still had to respond politely to him even though he was completely unprofessional and gross.”

“@Letterman, you owe @lindsaylohan and every person who has been struggling with addiction an apology,” a third person added. “Recovery is f*cking hard, takes time, and looks different for everyone. Shame mocking and forcing her to justify her effort to be well. This sh*t is why people overdose alone.”

But at the same time, many people dismissed the criticism, calling it old news and questioning why it’s coming up now.

Lindsay Lohan also reacted to her David Letterman interview

Lohan has not publicly commented on the latest round of criticism. But in a past interview, when asked to share her thoughts about Letterman’s conduct, she made it clear she didn’t take it personally at all.

“I love him,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “I’ve known him since I was 7 when I was first on the show, so I respect and appreciate him.”

How to get help: In the U.S., contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-4357.