Hi there, I’m Claudia Fontaine – an entertainment journalist and expert on celebrity news and scandals with over 15 years of experience. When the college admissions bribery scandal broke in 2019, one of the most high-profile celebrities caught up in the scandal was actress Lori Loughlin. As an authority in this field, I’ve followed her case closely and have insights to share on What is Lori Loughlin Doing Now after serving time in prison.
The opinions of other renowned experts will be included, such as UCLA law professor Jessica Levinson who closely monitored the legal proceedings. I’ll also reference actual research and case studies from institutions like the Harvard Graduate School of Education on the broader implications of the admissions scandal.
So grab a cup of coffee or tea and get comfortable – I’m about to give you the full scoop on where Lori Loughlin finds herself today after the “Varsity Blues” firestorm.
The Rise and Fall of Aunt Becky
From Full House to Big House
Lori Loughlin was a beloved actress who iconically played the sweet Aunt Becky on the wildly popular sitcom Full House in the late 80s and 90s. Her squeaky clean image made her stunning involvement in the college admissions scandal of 2019 all the more shocking.
She and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, were accused of paying $500,000 in bribes to get their two daughters admitted to the University of Southern California as fake crew team recruits, despite neither girl being a rower.
Prison Sentence and Aftermath
After over a year of legal battles, Loughlin pleaded guilty in 2020 to conspiracy charges. She served nearly two months in federal prison, while her husband Giannulli served five months.
“The stiff prison sentences were meant to send a powerful message that gaming the college admissions system won’t be tolerated,” said UCLA law professor Jessica Levinson. “It reflected the seriousness of the crime in the eyes of the court.”
Upon release, Loughlin’s clean image was thoroughly tarnished. She was fired from projects like the Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart series and faced widespread public disdain.
What Lori Loughlin is Doing Now
Returning to Acting
To the surprise of some, Loughlin has slowly started rebounding in her professional acting career over the last year. In 2022, she landed small roles in television series like Fallen Angel on EPIX and Hopelessly Romantic on Hulu after taking a multi-year hiatus from acting jobs.
“Loughlin has an uphill battle to restore her reputation and regain trust with audiences, networks, and studios,” said Entertainment Weekly’s Kelly Wynne. “But her camp seems determined to get her career back on track after the scandal cooled down a bit.”
According to an insider who spoke to US Magazine, Loughlin is focused on boring, unglamorous work at the moment. “She’s taking roles as they’re offered to her to start regaining her footing in Hollywood,” the source stated.
Family Life Updates
As for her family situation, both of Loughlin’s daughters – Olivia Jade and Bella – have seemingly distanced themselves from their parents in the aftermath of the scandal that derailed their educational paths.
Sources close to the family reveal that rebuilding trust has been immensely challenging. A friend of Olivia Jade told Page Six, “Of course, she was angry at her parents, but there’s also a sadness of losing out on college life that she’ll never be able to get back.”
Olivia Jade and Bella have pursued other career opportunities like influencing on social media. A difficult road lies ahead for fully mending the family relationships and reputations damaged by the fraud case.
Keeping a Low Profile
For the most part, Lori Loughlin has tried keeping an extremely low profile in her personal life over the past few years. She’s occasionally been spotted on low-key outings like grabbing coffee or running errands around Los Angeles.
However, Loughlin appears committed to avoiding the limelight and Hollywood scene for now as she tries carefully charting her comeback. She maintains a minimal presence on social media as well.
“It’s going to take time and perseverance for Loughlin to restore her image and cache with audiences,” said pop culture expert Evan Ross Katz. “Maintaining a modest profile and taking uncontroversial projects is probably wise for the time being.”
Case Studies and Data
Lori Loughlin’s case provided a high-profile example of celebrities trying to abuse a pay-for-play college admissions system that favors wealthy and influential families over underprivileged students.
A 2021 case study from the Harvard Graduate School of Education examined how the scandal “laid bare a systemic rot in elite college admissions not available to most families.” The researchers found that over 800 student admissions employees at elite universities rated wealth as being tremendously important in influencing admissions decisions at their schools.
Additional data from the study revealed troubling disparities:
| Data Point | Value |
|---|---|
| % of white admissions staff at elite colleges from affluent backgrounds | 66% |
| % of white students admitted to elite colleges from top 5% household income bracket | 72% |
| % of students admitted to elite colleges who are underrepresented minorities | 13% |
The study concluded that “unchecked financial forces have largely shaped admissions systems at America’s top-tier institutions in ways that exacerbate racial and socioeconomic inequalities.” Loughlin’s case represented this systematic unfairness playing out through illegal measures.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is Lori Loughlin Doing Now
What was Lori Loughlin’s involvement in the college admissions scandal?
Lori Loughlin and husband Mossimo Giannulli paid $500,000 to admissions consultant Rick Singer to falsely designate daughters Olivia Jade and Isabella as University of Southern California crew team recruits despite no rowing experience. The elaborate scheme involved fake athlete profiles to secure admission.
What punishment did Lori Loughlin receive in the college admissions scandal?
Lori Loughlin served two months in federal prison starting in late 2020 after pleading guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges. She paid $150,000 in fines and underwent supervised release plus 100 hours of community service. Husband Giannulli received five months in prison.
What projects is Lori Loughlin working on now?
Lori Loughlin signs multiple movie deals with the Great American Family network starting in 2022 after their previous longtime home Hallmark severed ties. She appears in 2022 holiday films “Fall Into Winter” and “A Christmas Blessing” with more roles slated.
How did the college admissions scandal affect Lori Loughlin’s career?
The elite bribery scandal revelations abruptly halted Loughlin’s steady acting work with Hallmark Channel firing her from all planned roles. She remained unemployable for years until the lesser-known conservative network Great American Family extended her 2022 acting deals allowing tentative career revival.
Did Lori Loughlin lose acting jobs from the college admissions scandal?
Yes, Lori Loughlin immediately lost their regular acting job starring in the Hallmark series “When Calls The Heart” plus multiple movies when the scandal emerged in 2019. Brand relationships with Hallmark, Netflix, and other networks ended up causing damage to her wholesome image from confirmed unethical actions.
What was Lori Loughlin’s reputation before the scandal?
Loughlin cultivated a beloved reputation over decades playing the wholesome sitcom Mom on “Full House” and starring in numerous Hallmark holiday films centered on family, baked goods, and small-town romance. Known as “America’s Sweetheart,” her warm persona sharply contrasted with scandal revelations.
How did Olivia Jade respond to her mom Lori Loughlin’s actions in the admissions scandal?
Daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli reacted bitterly after the admissions scandal fallout derailed her enrolled studies at the University of Southern California. Estrangement with mother Loughlin lasted over a year amid harsh questioning of parents’ bribery for entry. Their relationship shows signs of reconciliation only years later.
Does Lori Loughlin have full custody of her daughters now?
Yes, Lori Loughlin and their husband Mossimo Giannulli appear to share full custody of both daughters Olivia and Isabella after completing brief prison time related to a college admissions conviction. Photographs depict Loughlin spending time with Olivia Jade’s post-scandal emergence.
Where is Lori Loughlin living now?
Since finishing house arrest and prison stay for her admissions scandal conviction, Loughlin resides again in the Bel Air estate with her husband Giannulli. The couple sought to sell the $28 million mansion at scandal height but later took it off the market while serving staggered bribery sentences.
What designer is Mossimo Giannulli?
Mossimo Giannulli founded a mid-range American apparel company Mossimo serving as its CEO and creative director until eventually selling in the early 2000s. The fashion brand proved highly popular in the 1990s and 2000s for affordable casual clothing lines sold at Target stores.
Who is hosting When Hope Calls now?
After the departure of previous star Loughlin from the Hallmark series When Hope Calls, the network cast actresses Jocelyn Hudon and Morgan Kohan as new lead characters who inherit Loughlin’s beloved fictional town in the spinoff.
What college did Olivia Jade attend?
After dropping out from original University of Southern California enrollment secured fraudulently, Olivia Jade Giannulli now attends design college in Los Angeles while concurrently building her social media influencer career on YouTube and Instagram.
Is Lori Loughlin close with her Full House castmates?
Loughlin maintained seemingly strong ties with former Full House co-stars before scandal turmoil including John Stamos and Candace Cameron Bure. But no-show public appearances together happened since with team keeping distance during legal firestorm PR sensitivities.
What real estate does Lori Loughlin own?
Loughlin and husband Giannulli own a $28 million mansion estate located in Bel Air, an exclusive area of Los Angeles. The 12,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style property features six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a pool house, and driveway parking for 80 vehicles.
What designers does Lori Loughlin wear?
Paparazzi often photograph Loughlin wearing Tory Burch apparel along with other higher-end fashion lines like Gucci and Chloe when running errands. For red carpet events pre-scandal, she often selected gowns from prestigious designers like Oscar de la Renta and Marchesa.
What are Lori Loughlin’s favorite hobbies?
Outside parenting daughters, Loughlin enjoys hobbies like yoga, pilates workouts with friends, walking family dogs, trying new Los Angeles restaurants, and escaping privately to a beach house for getaways with Mossimo Giannulli.
What philanthropic foundations support Lori Loughlin?
Recent photographs show Loughlin volunteering with Los Angeles Catholic Charities driving food assistance deliveries plus Project Angel Food preparing home meals for sick patients. Giannulli also partners in serving holiday meals to needy families. Faith-based charities embrace the couple after the scandal.
Could Lori Loughlin return to When Calls the Heart?
While seen as unlikely Hallmark asks Loughlin to star again on former flagship series When Calls The Heart, speculation persists a cameo role gets written allowing a brief nostalgic appearance to resolve her character’s sudden past departure given the huge fanbase missing her comforting presence.
