Loni Willison, once a sought-after fitness model gracing the covers of numerous magazines, now finds herself living on the streets, often seen rummaging through dumpsters in California.
The 40-year-old, whose life took a drastic turn after her divorce from Baywatch star Jeremy Jackson, recently spoke candidly about her struggles. According to Loni, her downward spiral began after her tumultuous marriage ended in 2014.
In an interview with X17 Online in May 2023, Loni pointed to her ex-husband as a major factor in her collapse, accusing him of abuse. “My ex-husband. Getting married. At least I got divorced,” she remarked when asked about the cause of her homelessness. “He set everything up to do this to me.”
Loni and Jeremy married in 2012, but their relationship ended two years later, which left Loni grappling with mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety. Her struggles were compounded by addiction to alcohol and crystal meth, ultimately causing her to lose both her career and her home.
Despite receiving offers of help, Loni has turned them down, preferring to maintain her independence. She has been quoted saying, “I don’t need help. I have everything I need.”
Speaking to X17 Online, Loni revealed she is in constant pain, adding that she can’t live indoors due to a strange and intense physical reaction to electricity. “I was electrocuted every day for nearly a year, and now I can’t be near appliances or anything with electricity,” she explained. “I think because I pick up on electricity, I also pick up on chemicals, metals, and other materials. My body filters that stuff.”
She also mentioned the possibility of needing a detailed medical examination to understand the full extent of the issue. “It’s pretty intense,” she said.
In addition to her physical pain, Loni’s appearance has drastically changed. She has lost some of her upper front teeth and often wears worn, dirty clothes as she navigates life on the streets.
Loni’s ex-husband, Jeremy, has faced his own struggles. In 2017, he was sentenced to 270 days in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to a stabbing incident in Los Angeles. He has also battled addiction.
As for Loni, life remains a daily challenge. She struggles to make ends meet, relying on a shopping cart to carry the few belongings she still has, including food. The once-beautiful blonde model is now a far cry from her former self, barely recognizable amidst the hardship she endures.
My granddaughter was constantly mocked by her classmates because of her braces.
The sun streamed through the kitchen window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. I sat at the table, sipping my tea, when the doorbell chimed. A wave of excitement washed over me. It was Lizzie, my granddaughter, a whirlwind of energy and sunshine.
But today, her smile seemed a little forced, her eyes downcast. “Hi Grandma,” she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.
My heart sank. I knew something was wrong. Lizzie, usually a chatterbox, was unusually quiet. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I asked, pulling her onto my lap.
She shrugged, her shoulders drooping. “Nothing.”
“Come on, darling,” I coaxed. “You can tell me anything.”
After a long pause, she finally admitted, “The kids at school are teasing me again.”
My blood ran cold. “Teasing you about what?”
Lizzie looked down at her feet, her voice barely audible. “My braces… and now my glasses.”
My heart ached. I remembered the cruel taunts I had endured as a child, the feeling of being different, of not fitting in. I couldn’t bear to see my granddaughter go through the same thing.
“Lizzie,” I said, my voice firm, “those kids are just mean. They’re jealous. You are beautiful, inside and out, with or without braces or glasses.”
She looked at me doubtfully. “But everyone else is wearing contacts.”
A mischievous glint entered my eye. “Really? Well, then I guess I need to get some contacts too!”
Lizzie’s eyes widened. “But Grandma, you don’t need glasses!”
I chuckled. “Oh, but I do, darling. I’ve been needing glasses for a while now, but I’ve been too stubborn to admit it.”
And with that, I went to my room and emerged a few minutes later, sporting a pair of stylish, oversized glasses. Lizzie stared at me, her mouth agape.
“Grandma!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “We look like twins!”
She threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “Thank you, Grandma,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “You’re the best grandma ever. I love you!”
My heart melted. I had never expected this reaction. I had simply wanted to comfort her, to show her that she wasn’t alone. But seeing her smile, her eyes shining with admiration, filled me with a joy I hadn’t felt in years.
From that day on, Lizzie embraced her glasses. She even started experimenting with different frames, choosing colors and styles that expressed her individuality. The teasing continued, of course, but it no longer had the power to dim her light.
And I, her unlikely accomplice, watched with pride as she blossomed into a confident, beautiful young woman, her glasses becoming a part of her unique identity. I had learned a valuable lesson that day: sometimes, the best way to combat negativity is with a little bit of humor and a whole lot of love.
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