Exclusive Interview to Air on NBC’s “Today” Thursday, March 1, with a Preview Airing Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 29
EW YORK – February 28, 2012 – – Matt Lauer sat down with actress Lindsay Lohan in an exclusive interview to air Thursday, March 1 on NBC’s “Today.” Lohan talked to Lauer about her current plans and projects, what she has learned from her past experiences, and what she’s looking forward to in the future. Lohan tells Lauer that she is “clean and sober†and she wants “to continue to move forward and in the right direction.†The actress, who will host “Saturday Night Live†this Saturday, March 3, also told Lauer, “I still need to go through the process of proving myself.â€
Excerpts from the interview follow. If used, mandatory credit, NBC’s “Today†and Matt Lauer with airdate Thursday, March 1. Photos from the interview are available now on nbcumv.com.
Jim Bell is the executive producer of “Today” (Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.).
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MATT LAUER:
There was a time when we talked last time, where I think you didn’t want to talk about a lot of things. Because I think, and correct me if I’m wrong, there was a little denial going on.
LINDSAY LOHAN:
Definitely. And I think it was– it’s a scary thing to have to kind of express to people. I don’t think I was– I wasn’t as comfortable with myself then. And yeah, definitely, though. I think it was a fear factor that I had about what was really going on. And, you know, I had to get that wakeup call.
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MATT LAUER:
Can you go to the night life? Can you go to parties? Can you go to clubs without suffering the temptation that’s going to get you into trouble?
LINDSAY LOHAN:
I don’t. I mean, I prob– I could, but I don’t. That’s not my thing anymore. I went out, actually, a few months ago with a friend. And I was so uncomfortable. Not because I felt tempted, just because it was just the same thing that it always was before. And it just wasn’t fun for me. I’ve become more of a homebody. And I like that.
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MATT LAUER:
Do you think people have gotten back, or can get back to the point where they trust you? In other words, professional people? You know, if they say to you, “Come host Saturday Night Live,” that’s a big commitment. And do you think the producers and directors of movies and television projects are going to get back to the part where they can go, “You know what? Yeah, we can count on Lindsay. We can bank on her?”
LINDSAY LOHAN:
I think that that’s gonna take– I think that takes time. And I think that it’s actions. Because people can say things all they want, but I think I still need to go through the process of proving myself, you know, with SNL, being on time, being, you know, keeping my can’t say the word but stuff together.
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MATT LAUER:
There’s some stories going around that your next project is going to be playing Elizabeth Taylor.
LINDSAY LOHAN:
Yes.
MATT LAUER:
Tell me about it.
LINDSAY LOHAN:
…We’re in the middle of casting and figuring– we start production soon. I’ve been doing tons of research. But I’ve always kind of researched her. She’s always been a fascinating woman to me. So I’m really honored. And I will not let anyone down, especially myself.
MATT LAUER:
It’s funny that you felt the need to say that. “I will not let anyone down.”
LINDSAY LOHAN:
Because people– you know, I could see where it could be scary for people to invest in me. And I don’t want people to have that reason to be scared anymore. So being able to have this opportunity with SNL and the film, I’m gonna do what I’m supposed to do, and enjoy doing it, and do it as best as I can.
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