Todd Chrisley, never one to shy away from blunt commentary, made headlines again following a candid conversation with his wife, Julie Chrisley, on their podcast Chrisley Confessions 2.0. The couple, recently pardoned and released from prison, have been grappling with the adjustment to post-incarceration life. But it was Todd’s brutally honest reaction to seeing Julie after her release that caught the attention of fans and critics alike.
In their July 23 podcast episode, Todd didn’t sugarcoat his thoughts when he described the first moment he laid eyes on Julie post-prison. He admitted that seeing her transformation — specifically her new, natural brunette hair — was jarring. “I’m not going to lie,” he said. “When I first saw you when I got out of that car, I started thinking about going back, but then I thought, let me embrace this — this is a moment.” That remark stunned Julie, who immediately shot back, “Are you kidding me right now?” The exchange was classic Chrisley — laced with sarcasm, sharpness, and emotional transparency — the very mix that had once captivated millions of viewers on Chrisley Knows Best.
Julie, known for her golden blonde hair and polished look throughout the show’s ten-season run, addressed the viral photo that had circulated while she was behind bars. The image showed her with darker, graying hair, a stark contrast to her previous on-screen persona. “It was horrible,” she acknowledged. Todd didn’t hold back, either. “You set the bar low,” he told her. “There was nowhere to go but up.”
While the comments may seem harsh on the surface, longtime fans of the Chrisleys would recognize the couple’s dynamic — a blend of biting humor and deep familiarity built over decades. Still, Julie was quick to defend herself, explaining the reasons behind her new appearance. “I didn’t have any choice,” she said, describing the limited options available to her in prison. The reality was simple: without access to her usual hair care routines, her blonde locks faded, and she was left to navigate personal grooming in ways she never imagined.
The reality of incarceration was far from the world of luxury and order they’d portrayed on TV. Initially, Julie had tried to maintain her look. A fellow inmate skilled in hair coloring helped her apply highlights. But after that person was released, Julie turned to box dye from the commissary — a makeshift solution that didn’t last long. Eventually, she made the decision to stop fighting nature and allowed her brunette roots to grow in. “I decided to just go natural,” she said. “There was a freedom in not worrying about it anymore.”
Interestingly, since her release in May, Julie has returned to her signature blonde hair, an unspoken signal that life outside prison is, at least cosmetically, being restored. But as the couple explained, the transition back into everyday life hasn’t been smooth. In fact, they shared that the struggle of post-prison life has, in many ways, been more difficult than the prison experience itself. The emotional toll, the strain of reentering society, and the continued scrutiny have all proven more taxing than expected.
Julie expressed that the weight of responsibility post-prison feels heavier than the structured routine of prison life. While incarcerated, much of life’s decision-making is stripped away. Now, every little thing — from navigating family relationships to rebuilding careers — demands effort. “It’s like you have to learn how to breathe again in the real world,” she said. Todd echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the difficulty of adjusting to the mental and emotional demands of freedom after spending time in confinement. “You think getting out is the hard part, but it’s what comes after that really tests you,” he said.
Despite their trials, the Chrisleys are determined to move forward. And if there’s one thing they’ve always excelled at, it’s turning personal turmoil into compelling television. The couple is currently working on a new docuseries with Lifetime, aiming to share their story in an unfiltered way. The series is expected to chronicle everything from their legal battles and prison experiences to their current efforts to rebuild their lives and careers. It’s a second act they’re leaning into with both trepidation and hope.
Todd and Julie’s story is deeply rooted in the illusion of the American Dream. For years, they portrayed themselves as self-made real estate tycoons in the South, living in luxury and managing a quirky but tight-knit family. Their rise to fame felt aspirational to many, built on carefully curated appearances and undeniable charm. But in 2022, the facade began to crack. They were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks in Atlanta out of over $36 million in fraudulent loans, as well as defrauding the IRS and committing tax evasion. Julie was also convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud.
Their sentencing was harsh: Todd was handed 12 years in federal prison, while Julie received seven. The conviction rocked their fan base and sent shockwaves through the reality TV world. Their show was promptly canceled, their brand partnerships vanished, and they became cautionary figures in the blurred space between fame and fraud.
But in a surprising twist, their fortunes changed again in 2025 when former President Donald Trump issued full pardons for both Todd and Julie. The announcement came during a recorded conversation with their daughter Savannah, who had long advocated for their release. Savannah, who had spoken at the Republican National Convention the previous summer, had been a visible supporter throughout their legal journey. Her efforts, combined with media pressure and political connections, ultimately led to her parents’ early release.
Now that they’re home, the Chrisleys are trying to pick up the pieces. There’s an ongoing effort to restore their reputation and, perhaps more importantly, to rediscover who they are outside of scandal. Todd, for his part, has returned to podcasting and reality television with vigor, using these platforms to speak openly — sometimes uncomfortably so — about their experience. Julie, while more reserved, seems committed to the process of healing and reflection. Their marriage, despite everything, appears intact, if not stronger. Todd dismissed ongoing rumors of divorce, reinforcing that their 30-year relationship has endured too much to be undone by something like prison or public perception.
“I know the man I married,” Julie said, her voice steady. “And we’ve come through too much together to let this break us.”
Todd added that his faith and commitment to family were his driving forces throughout the ordeal. “Marriage is sacred,” he said. “We didn’t say ‘I do’ for convenience. We said it for life.”
Their brand of sharp-edged humor mixed with personal vulnerability is what initially drew viewers in — and it seems to be working again. The public is once again watching, curious to see how this next chapter unfolds. Can they rebuild? Can they win back the trust of the audience that once adored them? Time will tell.
In the meantime, the Chrisleys are doing what they’ve always done best: turning real life — even the messy, painful parts — into something they can share. Whether or not that translates into forgiveness, redemption, or renewed fame remains to be seen. But they’re back in the spotlight, doing it their way, one confession at a time.
