Savannah Chrisley gave fans a glimpse into her turbulent life Tuesday as her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, were sentenced to multi-year federal prison terms.
The 25-year-old reality star opened up on her Unlocked podcast about how she’s coping with her life falling apart after her parents were convicted on multiple charges including bank fraud and tax evasion.
Todd was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, according to the Associated Press, while Julie was sentenced to seven years for defrauding banks out of more than $30 million with fraudulent loans.
“So for those of you who are familiar with my family and have followed our lives and have also followed my podcast, you know that the past week has been an extremely difficult week for my family as a whole and for each of us individually,” said Savannah in the introduction to her latest episode.
Bad days: Savannah Chrisley, 25, opened up about her “falling apart” life in Tuesday’s intro to the latest episode of her Unlocked podcast; seen in LA in 2014
“We had to say goodbye to my parents for a while for the foreseeable future,” she continued. “And that was really, really, really hard.”
Despite the tone of her intro, Savannah stayed upbeat for the rest of the episode as she engaged in a lively interview with her friend and producer Erin Dugan.
However, in the introduction, which appears to have been taped after the interview, Savannah shared that she “hasn’t filmed a podcast” since her last interview on Jan. 12, her mother Julie’s coincidental 50th birthday.
“The podcast that’s airing today that you’re watching was filmed before my life fell apart, so it seems happy,” she continued. “I think that’s because a lot of hope was raised and I didn’t face the reality of the situation.”
Walking away: “We had to say goodbye to my parents for a while for the foreseeable future,” she continued. “And that was really, really, really hard”; Julie and Todd seen in 2019
Fraudster: Todd was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, according to the Associated Press, while Julie was sentenced to seven years in prison for defrauding banks out of more than $30 million with fraudulent loans; nor of Chrisley knows it best
Savannah suggested future episodes would reflect her new life after her parents started their long prison sentences.
“So I just wanted to throw that in here to address that, because I know a lot of people are going to be like, ‘Whoa, what is this?’ And that was kind of a pre-life meltdown. And now podcasts that I do in the future will be released. So I hope that helps you understand things,” she said.
The Chrisley Knows Best star promised that her next episode would be a “very intense one-on-one podcast with myself that would give an update on where my life is at.”
Savannah previously announced that her parents’ jail sentence will change more than her life as she will now take custody of her brother Grayson, 16, and niece Chloe, 10.
Chloe is the daughter of Todd’s son Kyle Chrisley – from his marriage to ex-wife Teresa Terry – and Angela Johnson, but she was adopted by Todd and Julie in 2016.
Since they were sentenced to prison, Chloe’s mother has been taking steps to regain custody of her daughter.
Contrast: Savannah’s somber intro contrasted with her interview, which was recorded before her parents went to prison. She promised to get updates on her life and mental state in future episodes; seen in 2014
Carrying the burden: Savannah previously announced that her parents’ jail sentence will change more than her life as she will now take custody of her brother Grayson, 16, and niece Chloe, 10
“I’m really excited to give this update because I’ve seen God work in the craziest of circumstances. Until then, I hope you enjoy this week’s podcast,” Savannah continued in her introduction. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me, my family and Unlocked.”
Todd and Julie are incarcerated in federal prisons 650 miles apart, with Todd serving his sentence at Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Florida, while Julie is serving time at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
Although Julie is being held at a medical center – after her original prison near her husband’s in Florida was changed at the last minute – a source told TMZ she is not currently receiving medical treatment.
Punished: Todd and Julie are incarcerated in federal prisons 650 miles apart, with Todd serving his sentence at Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Florida while Julie is at Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky; seen in 2014 with Chase Chrisley (L)