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Lindsie Chrisley, daughter of reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, has opened up about the challenges of familial estrangement and the importance of surrounding oneself with a chosen family. Her remarks come amid an ongoing rift with her famous parents and siblings.
In a candid interview, the 33-year-old reflected, "As you get older, you learn that your family is who you choose." She added, "Blood doesn't always make you related – sometimes the friends and people who show up for you become your real family."
Lindsie and her brother Kyle have been estranged from the Chrisley family for several years, with tensions playing out publicly. Her sister Savannah has been outspoken about the reasons behind the divide.
"There's been a constant battling of her own narcissistic behavior and her own entitlement that has unfortunately, really affected our family," Savannah stated in a 2021 podcast interview. "And it's caused a huge divide."
For her part, Lindsie acknowledges the estrangement has been painful but believes prioritizing her own well-being is crucial. "At the end of the day, I have to make decisions that allow me to sleep at night," she explained.
The Chrisley family shot to fame with their USA Network reality show "Chrisley Knows Best," which premiered in 2014 and ran for 9 seasons. However, their picture-perfect image was shattered in 2022 when Todd and Julie were convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion charges and sentenced to combined prison terms totaling 19 years.
In the wake of her parents' legal troubles, Lindsie has focused on her own family, which includes her 10-year-old son Jackson. "My circle is small, but mighty," she said of her support system. "Those are the people I count on, and the ones who have shown up for me time and again when my own family couldn't or wouldn't."
While she doesn't rule out a potential reconciliation in the future, Lindsie emphasized that any healing would need to happen naturally over time. "Forgiveness has to be earned," she stated firmly. "I'm not going to force anything just for the sake of faking family unity."
As she navigates this challenging chapter, Lindsie is drawing strength from the "real family" she has cultivated. "Blood or not, they are the ones I call my people, my village, my everything. And that's what truly matters."
The Chrisley family saga continues to captivate audiences, but at its core is a poignant reminder that families – both given and chosen – can be complicated, imperfect, but also resilient when unconditional love prevails.
