Todd Chrisley recently made a surprising revelation to his spouse, Julie, after their release from prison. The couple, known for their reality TV stint, have had a tumultuous time over the past few years.
The Chrisleys were incarcerated for two years following their conviction for tax fraud. However, they were granted clemency this year through a presidential pardon.
According to E! News, Todd was initially set to serve a 12-year sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Pensacola in Florida, while Julie faced seven years at the Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky.
The stars of “Chrisley Knows Best” had previously flaunted a lavish lifestyle, claiming real estate as their primary income source. In reality, they had evaded taxes and defrauded banks of a staggering $30 million.
Despite two failed appeals, it was through Donald Trump’s intervention that they gained their freedom.
Preceding his prison surrender, Todd posted a video on social media featuring gospel artist Karen Peck singing ‘Four Days Late’. Though the post was eventually taken down, his daughter Savannah commented, “I love you daddy.”
Savannah played a pivotal role in securing her parents’ freedom by reaching out to Lara Trump, the then-president’s daughter-in-law.
In an interview, Savannah alleged that the prosecutors were Democrats who had contributed to the Democratic Party and reportedly referred to the Chrisleys during the trial as ‘the Trumps of the south’.
In response, Trump granted them a pardon.
A video shared online by White House aide Margo Martin captured Trump on a call where he said, “Your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope we can do that by tomorrow. I don’t know them but give them my regards and wish them a good life.”
Following their release, the couple launched a podcast named Chrisley Confessions.
It was during this podcast that Todd made an unexpected admission to Julie.
“I’m not going to lie. When I first saw you when I got out of that car, I started thinking about going back,” Todd disclosed during the episode aired on July 23. “But then I thought, let me embrace this. This is a moment.”
Julie, taken aback, responded: “Are you kidding me, right now?”
Todd further explained, “It was a rough moment because I had never seen you dark in my life.”
Julie, having also served time, reminded him, “Well, I know that, Todd, but I didn’t have any choice.”
Known for her signature blond hair, Julie’s appearance had altered during her time in prison.
Her hair showed significant regrowth, with roots half brown and half gray, a result of experimenting with brown box dye while incarcerated.
Reflecting on an image of her hair that circulated post-release, Julie commented, “Was there a horrible picture that came out of me? Yes, but the way I flip that is ‘Look at me now!’
“Now, people think I look even better because that horrible picture was out there to begin with.”
Todd humorously added, “I will say, you set the bar low, you had nowhere to go but up.”
Although Julie acknowledged Todd’s remark “wasn’t very nice”, she took it in stride.
“I’ll admit, I looked crazy,” she laughed. “But now, see, people think when they see me, ‘Oh, my God, you look so good!’ and I’m thinking, ‘Yeah, because you saw that picture of me looking crazy.’”