Credit: Shutterstock/Kathy Hutchins
Chrisley Knows Best’s Savannah and Julie Chrisley are opening up and revealing more details surrounding the famous family’s legal woes after Julie and her husband, Todd Chrisley, were sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison for bank fraud and tax evasion.
Julie appeared alongside Savannah for an episode of her podcast, Unlocked, and she revealed to fans that long-time friends have abandoned her after her conviction and how “daughter” Chloe is handling the traumatic news. Plus, for the first time, Savannah addressed younger brother Grayson Chrisley’s violent car accident that left him injured and hospitalized.
During the episode (which was recorded before Julie and Todd were handed down their sentences), Savannah said that Chloe is much smarter and more “nosey” than people give her credit for, and she knows more about the family’s legal situation than she would like.
“She’ll put on her headphones and act like she’s listening to something when in reality nothing’s on,” the Sassy by Savannah founder said. “So, all of the legal issues we’ve had going on, she’s heard about [them].”
The duo recently faced criticism and online trolls after Savannah referred to Chloe as her “sister” in an Instagram post celebrating Chloe’s 10th birthday on November 10.
“Chloe sees you as her big sister … because that’s the house she is growing up in,” Julie said. “It just kills me that people have to put a label on everything.”
In the same vein, Julie says she considers Chloe her daughter and not her granddaughter.
“Every child that has been adopted has biological parents,” Julie continued. “That doesn’t mean we aren’t her parents. She is ours. She is our daughter. She is not our granddaughter. She is our daughter, which makes her your sister.”
Savannah agreed, adding, “Family is what you make it.”
The conversation then turned to younger brother Grayson’s car accident on a Nashville, Tennessee, interstate on November 12.
“He was on the interstate. I think another car was, like, weaving in and out of traffic,” Savannah explained. “I think everyone in the situation just overcorrected because of this one car.”
Savannah recalled how the first thing Grayson was worried about was adding to his parent’s legal troubles ahead of their sentencing.
“The first thing that he said was, ‘This was the last thing that everyone needed,’” she said. “Dad was like, ‘Grayson, you’re alive, you’re safe, who cares? It’s a car, that’s what insurance is for. You’re alive and you’re safe and you’re well.’”
Savannah then revealed that Grayson called her first after the collision because he was “afraid” of getting into trouble, and Savannah could “save him from it.”
Though the accident was “bad,” Savannah confirmed that Grayson is okay. “Beat up, but he’s ok,” she said.
Savannah revealed earlier this month that while her parents serve their time, she will be granted custody of both Chloe and Grayson.
Todd and Julie’s convictions have not just affected their family, but they also have had a ripple effect throughout the couple’s social circle. Julie revealed friends that she’s had for 20-plus years have abandoned her and Todd during their time of need.
“I’ve watched you struggle with certain people that haven’t reached out to you, people that you’ve known for years, either since you were a child or 20 years,” Savannah pointed out to her mom. “To not reach out is pretty s—ty.”
Julie seemed to take a more optimistic view on the matter, believing that their friends probably “don’t know what to say” or may feel “awkward.” However, she said that if the roles were reversed, she would be there for her friends in a heartbeat.
“I am just the type of friend that if I am your friend, I am your friend,” Julie shared. “I am your friend whether we have two dollars combined together or we’ve got millions, whether things are going great or whether our worlds are falling apart, whether our kids are great, or they’ve lost their way. That’s who I am.”
Julie’s not letting the naysayers shake her, though, as she’s steadfast in her assertions of “what [she] had done and what [she] hasn’t done.”
Todd and Julie are planning to appeal their sentences as their attorney stated that a number of “errors” contributed to the reality TV couple not getting a fair trial.
