Michael Lohan: 'I Definitely Blame Myself'

By Rob Shuter Posted Aug 2nd 2010 02:46PM

Just before Lindsay Lohan was released from jail, I sat down with her father, Michael Lohan, for my new HDNet 'Naughty But Nice with Rob' talk show. In our revealing chat, Michael admits for the first time that he is responsible for his daughter's current situation.

"I definitely blame myself and take responsibility for where my daughter is," he told me.

It was a different Michael, a father whose pain clearly wasn't put on for the camera. Talking about little Lindsay growing up in Long Island, going to auditions for TV jobs and finally hitting the big time in 'The Parent Trap,' Michael had tears in his eyes wondering how everything went so wrong so fast.

He clearly blames himself and his ugly divorce from Dina Lohan, but he didn't hesitate to offer harsh words for his ex, who he points out has never admitted any responsibility.

"If she [Dina] doesn't get on board with me and mend fences, she will be the one person who will continue to destroy Lindsay," he told me. "She has to stop thinking about making money off Lindsay and she has to stop listening to her brothers and mother: The three people who are keeping us apart."

► Friend: 'Lindsay Is Still So Vulnerable After Only 13 Days Away From Her Crazy Life'

Michael recounted how he and his ex were on friendly terms as recently as July 4, but that after Lindsay was sentenced two days later, she began shunning him again. He insists Dina has ignored professional advice on how to reign in their troubled daughter.

"Why is it that Lindsay's lawyers, therapists and doctors have asked Dina to have family counseling sessions, but she won't?" Michael wondered. "If your kids matter that much, you make sacrifices and forsake oneself for your kids. This is all in Dina's hands. What she does will decide the outcome."

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Tags: dina lohan, lindsay lohan, Michael Lohan

Comments

(66)

Monday 02 August

By JAMIE

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I believe the dad is sincere and truly cares about Lindsay. He isnt perfect , but who is. Dina just wants to get rich off of her daughter,,you can tell by the pics and interviews,that Dina likes the publicity and Hollywood lifestyle...and she wont give that up even to save her daughters life ,,,SHAME ON DINA

By Janet Cangialosi

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I think there is enough blame to go around it's not about you Michael that's the problem you and your exwife have made it about YOU it's about Lindsey and her bad choices, but if yer surrounded by YES LINDSEY, NO LINDSEY whatever you want Lindsey, yer allowed to grow up in an adult world when yer a child and no boundaries are given this is the result, shame when parents live vicariously thru their kids and kids wind up screwed up, this is best thing that could happen to her intense therapy and boundaries may just help her

By donna

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Michael Lohan, just shut your mouth and back away. This is not about you. Lindsy will either choose to stop, or choose to die along with millions of other drug addicts in this country.

By jvmfan

There is a show that is breaking something new on the LILO case--"Issues" is going to be on in about an hour and has new information.

By Tee

Oh please. If this guy seriously cared about his daughter, he would shut the hell up. Stop doing interviews, sucking up to paps, etc. The fact that he couldn't even get through this interview without stirring up more drama - criticizing his ex wife - shows that he hasn't learned a thing.

By Bella

THE BLAME GAME??? Addiction can and does effect the poor, the rich, good loving families and dysfunctional families! Michael Lohan is owning his part and seems genuinely sincere about wanting his daughter to live a sober life!

Addiction has touched my life in a major way! My son's addiction has sucked the life out of me. You never stop trying to find the right help when it's your child.

My ex-husband on the other hand has never stood by me! He does not believe in "addiction!" Also, he has a high profile job and has to keep these things "out of his life?"

There is a site I love that was started by David Sheff who is the author of "Beautiful Boy",,,a father's journey through his son's addiction. This site allows many to feel support and understanding if they have an addicted love one. Sadly, when you have an addicted love one in your family, you feel alone, because people cannot deal with the pain and heartbreak, and who would blame them? I'd run away too, but my heart will not let me :o)

MICHEAL LOHAN, DO NOT GIVE UP,,,EVER!!! I ADMIRE YOUR CONCERN AND LOVE FOR YOUR DAUGHTER.

By ezlivin96

it all sucks..rotten parents and spoiled brat

By bill

Why can't she just die already. Take the Father and Mother with her too!

By guy

"families that snort together go to court together" Now that's funny, I don't care who you are. LMAO!!!

By Kate

Lindsay is all grown up and should start acting like it! If she was my kid, I would have kicked her in the #ss a long time ago! If her parent's are so desperate to profit off of her pathetic and sickening behavior, they are just as nuts as she is. They all should go to Calcuta and volunteer a year of their time. Maybe they'll appreciate life a little better.

By tylertwo

Mother Lohan looks like a total street walker. She obviously needs lots of work.

By deborah mullins

Pathetic man trying to get a little more spotlight by proclaiming "It's all My Fault" Tell us something we didn't already know Mikey. You and your loser ex wife ruined the poor girl when she was a baby by pushing her too hard too soon. Now you need to back off and let her repair her damaged life and career. She's grown up now GO YOUR OWN WAY as Stevie says.

By david

This guy is a disgusting excuse for a father who needs to stay out of the media and get a job.

By Lee

Don't feel left out Michael1 America blames you, too!

By tim

Aww. I feel so bad for the Lohan's. Cry me a river. Now that your daughter is in debt up to her rancid snatch, you suddenly care? Dina looks like she needs a good old fashioned smack upside her head.

By Kathy

Only Linsay can take responsibility for her drug habit...if she finds sobriety through all the loss and pain...the parents have to deal with thier own addictions and then maybe they can all start to talk....forgiveness and health are the good stuff that will follow for the family unit...

By virginia

Her parents may have started the screw up but she is an adult now and she must make the decisions as to what she wants to be an adict or an adult.

By debcf

Michael Lohan has made his point, with the courts in L.A., about Lindsay's addiction to prescription drugs. That, along with the party drugs she has been taking, and alcohol, it's no wonder she needs help badly. That is why she is in UCLA for her rehab, and not the Country Club rehab she was going to go to. Michael has said some very unpopular things lately in regard to Lindsay, and I give him top marks for addressing 100% the real issues that Lindsay is facing. I am sorry that Lindsay's mom wasn't a parent for her, (more of a caring friend) and that the Dad had issues during Lindsay's early years. Thank goodness he is finally stepping up. Don't throw the guy under a bus. He is stepping up, without ulterior motives.

By Cheryl

Why doesn't this God-forsaken family just GO AWAY? (and take TMZ, et.al, with them!!!

By Flagrante Delicto

I'll bet after two weeks in jail, LiLo has hairy legs and a porcupine in her shorts!!

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