For nearly a decade, Chrisley Knows Best offered audiences an inside look at the lives of Todd and Julie Chrisley and their six children, blending laughter, chaos, and heartfelt moments.

But behind the glamour and quick-witted banter, the family has endured staggering challenges, none more devastating than Julie and Todd’s prison sentences. Now, with Julie Chrisley pardoned

and released earlier this year, she is opening up about how her family, particularly her youngest son Grayson, has been forced to navigate the consequences of their very public downfall.

A Family Turned Upside Down

Julie Chrisley’s life was forever changed in 2022 when she and her husband Todd were convicted on federal fraud charges. In 2023, she reported to prison to begin a seven-year sentence—an ordeal that was shortened by 14 months but still meant years of separation from her children. Todd, sentenced to 12 years, saw his term reduced to 10.

Then, in May 2025, a shocking twist: Julie was pardoned by President Donald Trump, allowing her to reunite with her family. That homecoming was bittersweet, as the scars of separation remained. And it wasn’t long before cameras returned, this time capturing the family’s raw and unfiltered lives in the Lifetime special The Chrisleys: Back to Reality.

Grayson’s Painful Confession

The first episode of the new series struck a chord with fans as 19-year-old Grayson opened up about the cost of growing up under both the glare of the spotlight and the shadow of his parents’ incarceration.

“Baseball was my entire life,” Grayson admitted to cameras. “That’s what I’ve done every weekend, year-round since I was 5 years old. I’ve never played a game that my mom wasn’t at.”

He recalled a poignant memory of Julie rushing from court to watch him play a tournament in Atlanta, her dedication never wavering despite the chaos surrounding the family. But when she could no longer be there, something inside him shifted. “When she couldn’t come watch me, I decided, I don’t really want to play anymore.”

For fans who had watched Grayson grow up on their screens, his revelation was heartbreaking—a reminder of how deeply the Chrisley children were affected.

Holding On to Something Private

In one of the most emotional scenes, Grayson revealed a stuffed bear that played a voice message from his mother. But rather than finding comfort in the memento, he confessed he couldn’t bear to hear it anymore.

“And now I’m not playing it,” he said softly. “I don’t want to listen to it. I feel like that’s the last private thing I have.”

When an off-camera producer pressed him, asking if keeping the message to himself was “too far,” Grayson stood his ground. “I mean, we give the cameras everything,” he replied firmly. “That’s one thing I won’t. That’s one thing the cameras don’t get.”

It was a striking moment of vulnerability and defiance—a young man, raised in the public eye, finally drawing a line in the sand.

Julie’s Emotional Response

Julie Chrisley, who had not yet seen the emotional moment unfold on screen, was visibly moved when told about her son’s words during a conversation with TODAY.com.

“I commend Grayson, and I didn’t know that that took place. I didn’t know that he said that,” Julie admitted. “And I love that he was able to set those boundaries because that’s very important.”

Her pride was unmistakable. For a mother who had been absent during some of the most formative years of her son’s life, the realization that he had developed the strength to guard his emotional wellbeing brought both relief and heartache.

“And I’m so glad and so proud of him for that,” she continued. “It takes a village to raise children.”

Savannah Steps Into the Spotlight

That “village” has been most visible in daughter Savannah Chrisley, who assumed guardianship of both Grayson and her niece Chloe when her parents were incarcerated. The Lifetime special does not shy away from Savannah’s struggles, documenting her tireless efforts to advocate for her parents’ release while juggling the demands of young adulthood and sudden motherhood.

“You see the ups and the downs and the chaos and dysfunction that’s going on,” Savannah explained. “But for 10 years, we had to live a life that wasn’t necessarily our life. So for this show, whether people like comments I make or don’t like comments I make, I feel at peace knowing I lived in the moment.”

Her candor struck a chord with fans who have long admired Savannah’s resilience. She insists that authenticity was her guiding principle. “The biggest thing for me was to be truly authentic and honest about my journey and my story, and that’s what I did.”

A New Chapter for the Chrisleys

Though the family is no stranger to reality TV, Julie acknowledges that their new journey comes with a different kind of vulnerability.

“I’m sure there are going to be things that I’m going to want to keep private,” she admitted. “You have to keep in mind, we weren’t here for the filming of this season. We literally filmed when we came home, and then we filmed a couple of interviews. So that was the extent of us filming.”

The difference between Chrisley Knows Best and Back to Reality is stark. Gone are the scripted antics and lighthearted storylines; in their place are raw truths about pain, resilience, and redemption.

“It’s a completely different experience,” Julie reflected. “There’s going to be some learning curve if there is more filming in the future.”

The Legacy of Boundaries

Perhaps the most profound takeaway from this chapter of the Chrisleys’ saga is Grayson’s quiet yet powerful assertion of control. After years of cameras capturing every laugh, every tear, and every misstep, his refusal to share that one deeply personal relic of his mother’s love stands as a declaration of independence.

Julie’s reaction—one of pride and understanding—cements the importance of respecting those boundaries, even in a family that has made its life an open book.

The Bigger Picture

The Chrisleys’ journey, riddled with scandal, separation, and redemption, continues to captivate audiences because it mirrors real struggles beneath the glitz of fame. Grayson’s story in particular shines a light on the children of celebrities who are often forced to grow up in ways most people will never understand.

As The Chrisleys: Back to Reality unfolds, fans will watch not only the family’s attempt to rebuild but also their fight to reclaim agency over their own stories. For Julie, supporting her son’s decision to protect what little privacy he has left may be the most powerful testimony of love she can offer.