Amanda Bynes’ diva behavior true cause of retirement?

[HMG] – In a move that inspired a sigh of relief among Hollywood types that could eclipse a tsunami, ‘What I Like About You’ actress, Amanda Bynes has announced her retirement from acting. But some ask, did she fall, or was she pushed.

Since her debut on MTV’s ‘All That’ at the age of just eight, the now-24 year old actress has enjoyed some mild fame, but announced via Twitter on Sunday that she’s retired from showbiz.

Like many child actors, Amanda was facing the awkward — and often lethal — transition to work as an adult, and chose the easy way out. But her record off-screen may better explain her departure.

Her rise to fame included her own show on Nickelodeon at the age of 13. Then came “What I Like About You,” which won her more fans. Her first movie, the 2002 comedy “Big Fat Liar,” with Frankie Muniz, also did well, and her role as Penny Pingleton in the 2007 remake of ‘Hairspray’ won good reviews.

But several roles since have met with widespread disdain.

Sources tell the Daily Beast that most of Hollywood now refuses to book her. Her agency, CAA apparently tried to stop her self-destructive behavior, but got nowhere — She has now been apparently fired from the upcoming movie “Hall Pass,” and that’s sent her over the edge.

“Often, what makes an actor appealing as a child simply doesn’t work as an adult,” says one source who’s worked with Bynes.

The cracks first appeared in 2007 — Amanda was invited to appear at the Turks and Caicos Film Festival, in the Bahamas, where she was to receive a ‘Rising Star’ award. But reports say she demanded two first-class plane tickets and two plush hotel suites – then failed to appear at the required events.

“I didn’t see her for days!” a Festival source told the scribes. “She was off jet-skiing – treating it like a vacation.”

And this is just one example from a long list of diva behavior reported by those who’ve endured her on-set. But her behavior on location for ‘Hall Pass’ sank her last chance;

Directed by the Farrelly brothers and starring Owen Wilson, Amanda was said to be acting ‘paranoid and fearful,’ according to sources. The Farrellys fired her, but got all this on film in case she dared to sue. Amanda, of course, has other views;

“FYI I am NOT in Atlanta doing a cameo in ‘Hall Pass’ like people think!” she declared via Twitter. “I was, but I left because of scheduling conflicts. I was going to do a part but it didn’t work out timing-wise.”

How can there be a ‘scheduling conflict’ if she’s already there??

And not everyone is buying this ‘retirement’ shtick.

“Although she’s probably made enough money to live comfortably the rest of her life, few stars can give up the spotlight for long,” says Jeremy Helligar. “If her final film, ‘Easy A,’ is well received when it’s released on September 17,you’ll see more of Bynes – She wouldn’t be the first fickle star.”

Sadly, he may well be right…