Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars didn’t just pack their bags for a vacation. They left America behind to begin entirely new chapters.
Some wanted more privacy after years in the spotlight. Others chose family, politics, or simply a slower pace of life.
From Amber Heard’s fresh start in Spain to Richard Gere’s new life overseas, these famous faces found something they felt was missing, and several say they have no plans to return.
Keep scrolling to see which celebrities walked away from America, where they settled, and the surprising reasons they believe life is better on the other side of the world.
1. Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson chose to return to Canada to actively rebuild her life far away from the exhausting public image that followed her for decades. She needed a fresh start to escape what people thought of her.
Speaking to Better Homes & Gardens in 2024, Anderson admitted she was not in a good space when she moved. She felt defeated by public perception and realized she desperately needed a major change in her life.
She beautifully restored her grandmother’s property on Vancouver Island. She found true healing through gardening, describing the physical work as a literal metaphor for putting her broken life back together.
This pivotal move marked a completely fresh chapter for her. It allowed Anderson to deeply reconnect with home while simultaneously redefining her career on her own strict terms.
2. Shania Twain
Shania Twain relocated to Switzerland during the late 1990s in pursuit of personal privacy. However, this European nation ultimately served as the setting for some of the most difficult trials she would ever face.
As reported by The Times, she lived near Lake Geneva with her spouse, Robert “Mutt” Lange. During this era, Twain contracted Lyme disease, which severely impaired her vocal cord nerves and paused her musical career.
Her marriage collapsed in 2008 following the revelation that Lange was having an affair. The relationship involved Marie-Anne Thiébaud, who worked as Twain’s personal assistant and was also a trusted close friend.
This deep emotional pain unexpectedly brought Twain together with Frédéric Thiébaud, the ex-husband of her former friend. They discovered mutual solace, wed in 2011, and transformed a painful era into a fresh start.
3. Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan discovered a rare sense of stability in Dubai, a feeling she seldom experienced while growing up in Hollywood. After a brief period residing in London, she took a trip to Dubai and chose to make it her home.
During a 2023 conversation with Allure, Lohan explained that she genuinely enjoys having a structured daily routine, comparing it to The Truman Show because her days are highly consistent, which she completely loves.
She further noted that living in the city liberated her from constantly worrying about paparazzi tracking her outside. Dubai is also where she met her husband, Bader Shammas, and established a quiet family life.
4. Sophie Turner
Going back to England allowed Sophie Turner to reclaim her true identity. After spending six years residing in Los Angeles and Miami throughout her marriage to Joe Jonas, she finally felt a sense of personal renewal upon her arrival.
Speaking with Harper’s Bazaar UK in October 2024, Turner expressed immense joy regarding her return. She explained that she felt as though her entire existence had been placed on hold until she stepped back onto English soil.
While living overseas, she deeply felt the absence of her loved ones. She noted that she genuinely missed celebrating major life milestones and sharing everyday moments alongside her close friends and immediate family members.
Turner also cited widespread gun violence and the controversial overturning of Roe v. Wade as major catalysts. The tragic Uvalde school shooting ultimately convinced her that the United States was not where she wanted to raise her children.
5. Richard Gere
Richard Gere stated that relocating to Spain was completely focused on prioritizing his family’s overall happiness. In an April 2024 interview with Vanity Fair Spain, he labeled the upcoming transition as a massive new adventure.
The move allowed his wife, Alejandra Silva, to live much closer to her relatives, childhood friends, and native culture. Gere noted she generously spent six years in his world, making it only fair to spend the next six in hers.
The actor highly praised the Spanish lifestyle, local cuisine, and community. He expressed deep admiration for the country’s vibrant joy for life and stated he was genuinely looking forward to raising their young children there.
Months after moving, Gere updated Elle Spain in January 2025, noting they were happier than ever. He explained that since Alejandra was finally back home, her happiness directly translated into his own personal contentment.
By April 2025, Silva mentioned to the Daily Mail that she still felt nostalgic for America. She anticipated that their family would ultimately split their time between both nations, confirming they plan to return frequently.
6. Rosie O’Donnell
@rosie hello all – here’s whats been going on folks – sending love ❤️- follow me on substack – link in my bio #bewell #speakkindlytoyourself #dourbest
Rosie O’Donnell said moving to Ireland gave her a fresh start, but she set specific conditions for an American return. In a March 2025 TikTok, she felt immediately at home with her child, Clay, praising the kind Irish community.
She revealed she is pursuing Irish citizenship through heritage, though she misses her friends and other kids in the US. She stated she will only return when it is entirely safe for all citizens to have equal rights there.
After President Donald Trump later suggested revoking her U.S. citizenship, O’Donnell responded directly on Instagram, writing to her followers that this exact political hostility was why she moved away to Ireland.
7. Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria clarified that exiting Los Angeles was not an exit from Hollywood, but rather an acknowledgment that a specific chapter of her life had closed. She, her spouse Jose Baston, and their son Santiago now split time between Spain and Mexico.
In her November 2024 Marie Claire feature, Longoria noted California’s vibe had shifted. She cited rising homelessness and high taxes, acknowledging her privilege in being able to escape a situation where many Americans remain stuck.
While she remains fully active in international acting and producing, Los Angeles has officially ceased to be the focal point of her daily routine.
8. George Clooney and His Wife, Amal
George Clooney believes that leaving Hollywood has provided his children with something far more valuable than fame. Speaking to Esquire, he explained that he and his wife, Amal, truly enjoy raising their twins, Ella and Alexander, on their farm in France.
In this rural European environment, celebrity status carries significantly less weight than it does back in Los Angeles. Clooney noted that his children spend less time on iPads, choosing instead to play outdoors and share regular meals with adults.
The actor emphasized that French culture simply does not care about fame, stating that he does not want his kids growing up worried about paparazzi. For Clooney, the move is entirely about giving them a normal childhood outside of Hollywood.
9. Amber Heard
Amber Heard left the US after her intense trial with Johnny Depp, relocating to Spain with her daughter. Media reports indicated she sought privacy to heal from the heavy scrutiny, moving to Mallorca before settling down in Madrid.
While insiders noted she enjoys a peaceful life focusing on parenting, recent photos sparked online debate. Instagram users heavily scrutinized her weight and looks, with some calling her completely unrecognizable.
In contrast, reactions on X were far more supportive. Many fans expressed happiness at seeing her enjoy a quiet family moment, wishing her a well-deserved, peaceful environment away from Hollywood.
10. Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres stated that her part-time residence in England quickly became a permanent home. Speaking to the BBC in 2025, she confirmed the decision to stay in the United Kingdom following the results of the 2024 presidential election.
DeGeneres recalled arriving the day before the vote and instantly deciding to remain. Since making the move, she has fully embraced life in the Cotswolds, frequently praising the beautiful British countryside and its slower pace of living.
11. Courtney Love
Courtney Love is taking the final step to make London her permanent home. According to the Daily Mail, Love originally relocated from Los Angeles in 2019, fulfilling her long-held vision of settling down near the River Thames.
Speaking in March 2025, she announced her application for British citizenship. Love expressed immense gratitude for her time in the city, stating that she is incredibly glad to be there and genuinely loves living in England.
Love also criticized the political climate in the United States, labeling it as frightening. Initiating the citizenship process marks the culmination of a personal plan she has actively pursued for several years.
12. Gabriel Macht
Following a nine-season run on “Suits,” Gabriel Macht chose to begin his next chapter outside the US. This marked a massive shift after dividing his entire life between New York and Los Angeles.
He and his wife, Jacinda Barrett, relocated abroad with their kids while keeping their destination private. Though they initially considered homeschooling, the family ultimately chose to travel and see the world.
13. Robin Wright
Robin Wright told The Times that living in England offers a fresh perspective on daily life. She has spent recent years working in the UK and renting property in the Chilterns, where she stays with her stepsister on weekends.
Wright loves the country, noting it provides a unique freedom of self and a remarkably kind community. She finds the British lifestyle far more present and peaceful than the frantic rush, traffic, and pressure of America.
14. James Cameron
James Cameron explained that his move to New Zealand wasn’t for the landscape, stating in 2026: “I’m not there for the scenery. I’m there for the sanity.”
After first falling in love with the country during a 1994 travel delay, he later filmed his “Avatar” sequels there. He bought a farm in 2011 and permanently relocated his family during the pandemic.
15. Lily Collins
Moving to Copenhagen gave Lily Collins a calmer, bike-friendly lifestyle that she describes as chic and intimate. Her move was soon followed by a major milestone.
In February 2025, she and husband Charlie McDowell welcomed their first child, daughter Tove Jane, via surrogate. Between her new European home and her growing family, Collins has successfully built a peaceful new chapter abroad.
Whether driven by politics, privacy, family, or personal peace, each celebrity’s relocation represents a deeply individual choice. For most, stepping away from the US has paved the way for a happier, much more balanced lifestyle.
While a few may eventually return, others appear entirely content to stay abroad for good. Ultimately, their journeys show that the most meaningful change isn’t always a career pivot and sometimes, it is simply finding the right place to call home.
