5 Shocking Revelations About Todd Chrisley's Sexuality Rumors, Prison Release, And New Reality Show

The enduring mystery surrounding Todd Chrisley's sexuality has once again become a major talking point in the media, especially in the wake of his and Julie Chrisley's recent pardon and release from prison in May 2025. The patriarch of the former Chrisley Knows Best family has been dogged by speculation for over a decade, largely due to his flamboyant mannerisms and Southern drawl, but the rumors intensified dramatically during his federal fraud trial. The latest chapter involves his and his family’s candid response to these claims in their new Lifetime docuseries, *The Chrisleys: Back to Reality*, which premiered in September 2025, providing a fresh, post-prison perspective on the long-standing gossip.

The core of the speculation centers on a former business associate's explosive testimony, which Todd Chrisley has vehemently and consistently denied. As the Chrisley family attempts to rebuild their lives and public image following their legal troubles, the question of Todd's sexual orientation remains a persistent and highly searched topic. This article dives deep into the history of the rumors, the specific allegations made under oath, Todd's own defiant responses, and how the family is confronting the issue now that they are free and back in the public eye.

Michael Todd Chrisley: Biography and Profile

Michael Todd Chrisley is an American media personality, real estate entrepreneur, and convicted fraudster, best known as the patriarch of the reality television series *Chrisley Knows Best*.

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• Full Name: Michael Todd Chrisley
• Place of Birth: Georgia, USA (Raised in Westminster, South Carolina)
• Career: Real estate investor, reality TV star, podcast host.
• First Marriage: Teresa Terry (m. 1990; div. 1996)
• Second Marriage: Julie Hughes Chrisley (m. 1996)
• Children: Todd has five children: Lindsie Chrisley and Kyle Chrisley (from his first marriage), and Chase Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley, and Grayson Chrisley (with Julie Chrisley).
• Legal Status (2025): Convicted of bank and wire fraud and tax evasion in 2022. He was pardoned by President Donald Trump in May 2025, leading to his and Julie’s early release from federal prison.
• Current Net Worth (2025): Estimated to be significantly in debt, with figures ranging from -$2 million to -$18 million following his legal battles and IRS debt.

The Mark Braddock Accusation: The Affair Claim That Rocked the Trial

The rumors about Todd Chrisley's sexuality, which had been circulating since the 2014 premiere of *Chrisley Knows Best* due to his perceived effeminate persona, reached a fever pitch during his 2022 federal trial.

The explosive testimony came from Mark Braddock, a former business associate and the man who initially reported the Chrisleys to the FBI.

Braddock testified under oath that he and Todd Chrisley had an intimate relationship that lasted approximately a year in the early 2000s.

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This alleged affair reportedly took place while Todd was already married to Julie Chrisley.

Furthermore, Braddock claimed he made blackmail payments to keep the alleged relationship a secret, adding a layer of scandal to the financial fraud charges that were the focus of the trial.

Todd Chrisley has aggressively refuted Braddock's claims, using strong language to dismiss the testimony. He has stated on his podcast that the accusation was a desperate attempt by Braddock to save himself during the trial.

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In one public statement, Chrisley mocked the idea that the alleged encounter was an "experiment," saying, "You ain't experimenting on sh*t! You know what you're doing."

Todd Chrisley’s Own Defiant Response and The Family’s Defense

Despite the high-stakes environment of a federal trial and the sensational nature of the claims, Todd Chrisley has maintained a surprisingly calm and consistent public stance on the gay rumors for years.

In a 2017 interview, long before the trial, Chrisley stated that he was actually "flattered" by the speculation.

He argued that for a person to be the subject of such persistent rumors, they must be doing something right, and that the continued chatter was a positive thing for his brand and his wife.

He has often used humor and defiance to address the topic, suggesting that the rumors are simply a byproduct of his highly stylized and non-traditional masculine presentation on *Chrisley Knows Best*.

The entire Chrisley family has rallied around Todd, dismissing the rumors as baseless gossip.

Julie Chrisley, his wife, has publicly defended him, and the couple’s commitment to each other has been a central theme in their various reality TV projects.

In a prison phone call, which was featured on the new docuseries *The Chrisleys: Back to Reality*, Todd reiterated his denial, suggesting that the rumors are a smear tactic used against him because of his public status.

The family's decision to address the rumors head-on in their new Lifetime series, which documents their life after their May 2025 release, demonstrates their strategy to control the narrative and confront the most damaging allegations against the family brand.

The Impact of the Rumors on The Chrisley Family Brand and Future

The discussion around Todd Chrisley's sexuality, coupled with his criminal convictions, has significantly reshaped the Chrisley family's public image and their financial reality.

The original show, *Chrisley Knows Best*, which focused on their affluent and seemingly perfect Southern lifestyle, was canceled after nine seasons due to the legal issues.

The family's financial standing has taken a severe hit, with Todd's net worth plummeting into the negative millions due to legal fees, fines, and restitution.

However, the enduring public interest in the family, intensified by the prison release and the sexuality claims, has paved the way for their television comeback.

The new Lifetime docuseries, *The Chrisleys: Back to Reality*, which premiered in late 2025, capitalizes directly on the curiosity surrounding their life after prison and addresses the most sensitive topics, including the Mark Braddock claims.

Savannah Chrisley and Chase Chrisley, two of Todd’s children, have also been vocal defenders of their father, using their own platforms to discuss the difficulty of adjusting to life after their parents' incarceration.

Ultimately, the sexuality rumors have become an inseparable part of the Chrisley narrative, serving as both a source of scandal and a central plot point for their continued relevance in the reality television landscape.