Loni Willison, former model and ex-wife of Baywatch star Jeremy Jackson, was back on the streets of Los Angeles this week.
Willison, 40, was spotted smoking a cigarette and pushing a cart filled with blankets on 29 June. The former star looked contemplative, wearing a layered top, skirt, leggings, white socks and a baseball cap worn backwards. She also adorned herself with several bracelets and a chain of necklaces.
Willison’s life changed dramatically after she split from Jackson in 2014, to whom she had been married for less than two years, the Daily Mail reported.
She has recently been seen scrounging for food and basic necessities, indicating the severe difficulties she is facing. Jackson is best known for her role as Hobie Buckhannon in the hit TV series Baywatch.
In May, the Daily Mail published photos of Willison dumpster diving for cosmetics and hygiene products, including a bottle of mouthwash. It’s a stark contrast to her past life, when she graced the covers of magazines such as Glam Fit, Flavour and Iron Man. Just months before, she was seen eating yoghurt with paint-smeared hands and wandering around town, and was spotted shopping at the now-defunct 99 Cents shop.
Willison has publicly blamed her downfall on ex-husband Jackson. In a candid interview with X17 Online, she cited their marriage as the cause of her woes. ‘My ex-husband. I’m getting married. At least I’m divorced… it put everything in perspective,’ she said.
She also spoke to the Daily Mail about her mental health issues, saying she had a breakdown in 2016. At the time, she believed that someone was sending electrical currents into her body and believed that the only way to be cured of this was with crystal methamphetamine. Around this time, she began living on the streets and has struggled with addiction and mental health issues ever since.
‘I haven’t talked to Jeremy. I don’t want to talk to my mates, I’m fine. I don’t want anyone to help me,’ she said, reflecting on her current situation. ‘I can live on my own. I have everything I need right here.’
One of Jackson’s other exes, Cindy Kovacs, also lamented Willison’s fate. ‘It’s very sad that what happened to Loni happened to her and she never got the help she needed,’ Kovacs said.
Willison’s tragic story serves as a grim reminder of the complexities of mental health, addiction and homelessness. We send her our thoughts.
