Natasha Lyonne Reveals Relapse in Powerful, Candid Statement
Natasha Lyonne opened up about a personal struggle on Friday, January 23, sharing with her followers on X that she has relapsed. The Poker Face star, who has long been seen as a symbol of resilience after battling addiction in the early 2000s, was honest and candid about the experience.
Took my relapse public more to come, Lyonne wrote, signaling her intention to be open about her journey. Later, she posted a longer message for anyone facing similar challenges. Recovery is a lifelong process. Anyone out there struggling, remember you’re not alone. Grateful for love & smart feet. Gonna do it for baby Bambo. Stay honest, folks. Sick as our secrets. If no one told ya today, I love you, she shared. Lyonne’s message focused on honesty and the importance of supporting others going through difficult times.
She also encouraged her fans to keep pushing forward before the “miracle” happens. The mention of “baby Bambo” refers to her upcoming semi-autobiographical film, Bambo, which she wrote and will direct. The story centers on a Brooklyn-born boxing promoter in the 1980s who struggles to balance his chaotic career with raising his family.
When a fan reached out to thank her for being open, Lyonne used the moment to call for better support systems and to fight stigma around substance abuse. We need better systems and to end shame – bill the sacklers & stilettos or something but don’t @ me for getting honest, she replied.
Lyonne’s past struggles with addiction were widely reported early in her career, including a 2006 rehab stint she credited with saving her life. In a 2012 interview with Entertainment Weekly, she reflected on how close she came to death. It’s weird to talk about. I was definitely as good as dead, you know? A lot of people don’t come back, she said at the time.
Professionally, Lyonne continues to thrive. Bambo is set to begin filming in summer 2026, with Joey King rumored to play the lead. In early 2025, she launched Asteria, a hybrid film studio focused on ethical AI-assisted filmmaking.
She has also appeared in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, continued her role in the second season of Poker Face, and starred in Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun. Additionally, she is co-creating and starring in the Sky Original action-comedy Force & Majeure alongside Matt Berry. The show follows an American mercenary and a British art thief navigating international adventures.
Fans and observers are seeing Lyonne’s openness as a brave and meaningful act rather than a setback. Her consistent message about staying honest reinforces her reputation as someone unafraid to show the realities of recovery, even after a “spectacular comeback.”
Do you think Natasha Lyonne’s decision to share her relapse publicly will help change the conversation about addiction in Hollywood, or will it be seen differently by the public?
