Evan Dando Enters Hospital for Mental Health Treatment Following Allegations of Sending Explicit Videos Without Consent — the headline has sent shockwaves through the alternative rock community this week, as the longtime frontman of The Lemonheads seeks professional care amid serious accusations.
Hospitalization Confirmed Amid Controversy
According to a statement shared with Billboard on Friday (Feb. 13), Dando has voluntarily admitted himself to a local hospital for comprehensive mental health treatment. A representative for the musician explained that he has struggled with mental health challenges since childhood and is now receiving care from experienced doctors and mental health professionals.
The news follows allegations from an anonymous fan who claims she received unsolicited and explicit videos from the singer-songwriter.
Allegations Surface Online
The claims were first reported by journalist Tony Ortega on his Substack newsletter, Underground Bunker. The woman — referred to under a pseudonym — reportedly reached out to Dando to congratulate him on the release of the band’s latest album, Love Chant, last October.
According to the account, after a brief exchange, she allegedly received inappropriate video footage that she says was not requested or consented to.
While Dando himself has not issued a direct public statement regarding the accusation, those close to him have provided additional context.
Wife Speaks Out
In a phone interview with Billboard, Dando’s wife, Antonia Teixeira, addressed the situation candidly. She revealed that her husband had been battling substance abuse and heavy drinking in recent years, despite previously being open about his recovery journey.
Teixeira explained that earlier this year, Dando experienced what she described as a severe mental health episode. She believes he relapsed and consumed high amounts of Adderall, psychedelic mushrooms, and THC simultaneously. During this period, he allegedly exchanged sexual videos with multiple women on X (formerly Twitter).
According to her account, one of the women he was communicating with shared the same name as the woman who later accused him of sending unsolicited footage. Teixeira believes he mistakenly sent explicit material to the wrong person.
“He betrayed me,” Teixeira said, expressing anger and disappointment. “I’m very upset, and I don’t think any woman deserves to go through that. I feel deeply sympathetic toward her.”
She also stated that she personally contacted the woman who made the allegation to apologize. Teixeira added that Dando reportedly has little memory of the incident and was “completely out of his mind” during the episode.
Ultimatum and Treatment in Brazil
After discovering the explicit exchanges, Teixeira made the decision to bring her husband to a mental health treatment facility in Brazil, where the couple resides.
Though she emphasized that she still loves him, she has reportedly issued a firm ultimatum: if Dando does not complete at least 30 days of treatment, she will pursue a divorce.
The situation marks a critical turning point for the musician, whose career has long been intertwined with public discussions about addiction and recovery.
A History of Addiction and Reflection
Dando previously detailed his struggles with substance abuse in his 2025 memoir, Rumors of My Demise. In the book, he chronicled his battles with heroin, speed, and cocaine, noting that he entered rehab in late 2021 and later stepped away from those drugs.
However, in a 2024 interview with The New York Times, he admitted he continued using certain substances, describing them as “over-the-counter.” During that conversation, he made controversial remarks about sobriety and faith, underscoring his complex relationship with addiction.
“I don’t believe God meant us to be sober,” he said at the time, while acknowledging that heroin had been particularly destructive in his life.
A Resilient Career in Alternative Rock
Despite ongoing personal challenges, Dando has remained a defining voice in ’90s alternative rock. The Lemonheads have earned multiple entries on the Billboard 200 and achieved notable success on alternative charts. Their 1993 single “Into Your Arms” reached No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing their place in the era’s musical landscape.
The band’s 2024 album Love Chant marked their first collection of original material in nearly two decades — a comeback many fans celebrated as a testament to Dando’s resilience.
In a recent interview, Dando described the band’s longevity with characteristic candor, comparing their persistence to something that simply refuses to disappear. That stubborn determination has long defined both his artistry and personal journey.
