AMANDA’S WORLD

Insiders tell Us how Amanda Bynes is faring now that her conservatorship is over

Amanda Bynes is free. After spending nearly nine years under a conservatorship overseen by her mother, Lynn, a Ventura County judge ruled in late March that the 36-year-old former actress is ready to make her own financial and personal decisions. “The conservatorship is no longer needed or required,” the judge declared. “She has done everything the court has asked.”

According to an insider, Bynes is taking things day by day as she adjusts to her new normal. “For the most part, Amanda is doing well,” says the insider of the child star turned fashion student, who has struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues in the past. “She’s eating well and exercising and keeping herself busy with various projects.” Bynes got engaged to Paul Michael — whom she met at a sober-living home in late 2019 — in February 2020. Adds the insider: “She’s working very hard on her sobriety and trying not to get too far ahead of herself.”

ROUGH ROAD

Bynes was put under the conservatorship back in 2013 following a string of disturbing events, including multiple DUI arrests (see box for more). That May, she was arrested on charges of reckless endangerment when she allegedly tossed a bong outside the window of her New York City apartment, and months later, she was put on an involuntary psychiatric hold after she started a fire in a stranger’s driveway in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Bynes most recently wrapped up an in-patient stint at a mental health facility in January 2019. The insider says she currently has a sobriety team in place and is in constant contact with a therapist and a sober coach. “Amanda and Paul

try to stay as low-key as possible bl b but t h have ve a solid group of friends who come over for meals, hikes and hangouts,” shares the insider, adding that the Nickelodeon alum is on good terms with her parents. “Amanda is in regular contact with her folks, but they try to keep tabs from afar as much as possible so as not to smother her since it’s very clear she wants to do this by herself this time around. They are very proud of the progress she’s made.”

BEST INTENTIONS?

However the insider and a second source tell Us there are some concerns about her fiancé. “Paul is an unpredictable character, and a lot of people in Amanda’s life have a sinking feeling it could end badly,” confides the insider. “He has a fiery nature, and a big red flag is the fact that Amanda is paying for everything.” The source says Michael is essentially “living off” the She’s the

Man star. The duo — who w released a rap single s together called “Diamonds” “D on April 13 1 — are believed to be b renting a property on o the beach in Santa Monica. M “Paul doesn’t have an income,” says the source. (Bynes is estimated to be worth between $4 million and $6 million.) “Paul loves Amanda very much, but he needs to be taken care o of. He’s going to take a advantage of her,” continues contin the source, who claims cl he’s never had a real job. “It’s hard not to feel bad for her because she’s so gullible.”

So far, any warnings have fallen on deaf ears. “They both get extremely defensive if anyone tries to butt in or warn Amanda against a long-term future with Paul,” notes the insider. “She swears he’s the man for her.” According to the source, Bynes wants to tie the knot sooner rather than later and doesn’t mind footing the bill. “Amanda wants the fairy tale,” says the source, who claims the engagement ring Bynes flashed on social media is a fake that she purchased for about $20 on Amazon. “She wants a big wedding, and Paul is happy to go along with it,” adds the insider. “The way Amanda sees it, Paul is the love of her life and the man she wants to grow old with, period.” •