Evan Dando, the frontman of The Lemonheads, has been admitted to a psychiatric facility following reports that he sent inappropriate explicit videos to a fan. According to his wife, Antonia Teixeira, the psychological crisis leading to his hospitalization began earlier this year during a high-profile trip to the United States—a trip that included an ill-fated recording of NPR’s Tiny Desk which she claims will never be broadcast.
Speaking with Billboard on February 13—the same day Dando’s representatives confirmed his admission to a Brazilian hospital—Teixeira detailed the musician’s ongoing battle with alcohol and prescription medication during their five-year relationship. She noted that the current downward spiral intensified just weeks ago. The couple had traveled from São Paulo to New York for a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 20, followed by a trip to Washington, D.C., for the NPR session.
It was during the Tiny Desk filming that Teixeira observed a profound shift in Dando’s stability. “He was completely disconnected from reality that day,” she remarked, adding that his state was so volatile that the segment has been permanently shelved.
While NPR declined to comment on the status of the unreleased episode and Dando’s representatives offered no further statement, Teixeira provided a candid look at the situation back in Brazil. She alleged that Dando’s behavior reached a breaking point after he simultaneously ingested a dangerous combination of Adderall, THC, and psilocybin mushrooms. This led to a series of explicit exchanges with several women on X (formerly Twitter).
Upon discovering the messages, Teixeira escorted Dando to a treatment center and issued a firm ultimatum: he must successfully complete a minimum 30-day program or face divorce. “I was incredibly angry,” she admitted regarding the messages. “It felt like a deep betrayal.” However, she expressed her belief that the unsolicited videos were sent accidentally during a “mental meltdown” and that Dando has since expressed deep mortification over his actions.
Teixeira characterized the relapse as a form of “self-sabotage,” coming on the heels of a productive period where Dando had recorded a new album and prepared for a now-canceled summer tour. Last year marked a significant comeback for the artist with the release of Love Chant—The Lemonheads’ first original studio album in nearly two decades—and the publication of his memoir, Rumors of My Demise, which detailed his history with heroin and cocaine.
While Dando successfully moved away from hard drugs after a 2021 rehab stint, he previously told The New York Times that he continued to use alcohol and certain over-the-counter substances. Teixeira revealed that she has spent years attempting to manage his intake, often keeping his medications in a locked container to prevent misuse.
Now, she views this professional intervention as a necessary step for Dando to claim ownership of his sobriety. “This feels like the next chapter of his recovery,” she shared. “It’s about him finally taking responsibility for his choices and their consequences rather than shifting the blame. I am hopeful that he truly wants to heal for himself.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or mental health concerns, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides free, confidential support 24/7. Visit the SAMHSA website or call 1-800-662-HELP. For those seeking support regarding sexual misconduct or abuse, RAINN offers confidential resources via their hotline at 800-656-HOPE.
