'Full House' Star Lori Loughlin's Daughter Joked about 'Prison' over 3 Years after Her Mom Was Jailed – Who Is She?
- Olivia Jade Giannulli, daughter of "Full House" alum Lori Loughlin, recently made a light-hearted reference to "prison" in a YouTube video, over three years after her mother served a jail term.
- She made this jest after a widely publicized college admissions controversy led to Loughlin and her spouse admitting to conspiracy.
- In the wake of the scandal, Olivia encountered public criticism, lost brand affiliations, and briefly stepped away from social media.
Lori Loughlin attends the 2018 Hallmark Channel Summer TCA on July 26, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
In 2020, a major controversy caught the public's attention involving Lori Loughlin, an actress renowned as Aunt Becky in the 90s TV series "Full House." Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, a distinguished fashion designer, were found guilty of plotting to admit their two daughters into the University of Southern California as part of the rowing team even though neither had any prior involvement in the sport.
Lori Loughlin as Becky and John Stamos as Jesse on "Full House" on September 14, 1993 | Source: Getty Images
The couple had paid a hefty sum of $500,000 to secure their children's admission to the university. Loughlin was admitted to a federal penitentiary in Dublin, California, to serve a two-month incarceration period.
After serving her time in prison, Loughlin was put under a two-year supervised release. Throughout this period, she was obligated to carry out 100 hours of community service and remit a penalty of $150,000.
After serving nearly two months in prison for her role in the scandal, Loughlin was released. The scheme to unfairly get students admitted to elite universities wasn't the only scandal making headlines at the time. There were other high-profile defendants charged with bribing coaches and conspiring to cheat on exams.
Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli, on the right, leaving the courthouse on August 27, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli, on the left, leaving the courthouse on April 3, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Loughlin conveyed her regret: "While I wish I could go back and do things differently, I can only take responsibility and move forward." More than three years after the event, her daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli, who was significantly involved in the controversy, humorously alluded to the incident.
Lori Loughlin and daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli attend a gala on February 27, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
In a video she posted on YouTube on January 17, 2024, she compared her messy kitchen with sterile walls to a prison and quickly added, "Save the jokes. I don't want to hear it. I set you up, and I don't want you to tee off. Okay?" The scandal that led to Loughlin's imprisonment impacted Giannulli profoundly.
Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli on August 27, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Lori Loughlin and daughter's Isabella Rose and Olivia Jade at the premiere of "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" on February 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
At the time, she was doing well as a communications major at the prestigious University of Southern California. She had even welcomed Teen Vogue into her dorm room for a tour and shared her decorating process. She was also a successful social media influencer with numerous brand deals and her own makeup product line.
Olivia Jades former dorm room in USC from a video dated September 5, 2018 | Source: youtube.com/@oliviajadebeauty
Olivia Jades former dorm room in USC from a video dated September 5, 2018 | Source: youtube.com/@oliviajadebeauty
However, the fallout from the scandal led to the loss of partnerships with companies she was endorsing. Giannulli was on spring break during her first year when she learned about her parents' arrest. Overwhelmed with embarrassment, she decided never to go back.
Olivia Jade and her mother Lori Loughlin attend People's "Ones To Watch" on October 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Lori Loughlin and daughter's Isabella Rose and Olivia Jade attend the 21st annual "A Time For Heroes" benefit on June 13, 2010 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
She'd later say, "I shouldn't have been there in the first place." The public backlash was intense, and Giannulli faced criticism for her parents' actions and her privilege. This series of events prompted her to temporarily withdraw from her social media channels, including YouTube and Instagram.
The emotional stress of seeing her parents arrested, charged, and sentenced to prison was also immense. In December 2020, before her parents' release, she appeared on an episode of "Red Table Talk" to share her perspective. During the show, she expressed her feelings about her parents' actions.
She believed her parents did it because her father was too attached to his children and wanted her and her sister, Isabella Rose Giannulli, to attend school close to home. She quoted her parents as saying, "I'm so sorry. I really messed up. I was trying to give the best to you and your sister."
Giannulli highlighted her intent to prove to the world that she had learned from her family's errors and deserved a second chance. She acknowledged that what happened was wrong and that every family member agreed it was a big mistake.
She stated that she had worked hard in high school and was involved in her college application process, admitting that she was unaware of many aspects of the situation. She said, "I think what's so important to me is to learn from the mistake, not to now be shamed and punished and never given a second chance."
She stated that she was oblivious to her privilege during the scandal. Giannulli acknowledged that the image painted of her in the media was not who she was and expressed understanding towards the anger and hurtful comments from the public. In an attempt to change her image and give back, she volunteered at an after-school program for underprivileged children.
Lori Loughlin with daughter Olivia Giannulli attend the "Happily N'Ever After" Los Angeles premiere in Westwood, California | Source: Getty Images
Before the scandal, Loughlin had expressed her desire for her children to attend college. Despite her daughters' aspirations to become a YouTuber and an actress, she insisted they get a degree. She said, "I told them, 'Go to college and get a degree and have a backup plan.' But at a certain point, I have to let them try. I'm a hypocrite if I don't."
Lori Loughlin with Olivia Giannulli and Isabella Giannulli at the 4th Annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards on September 26, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
In September 2021, almost a year after the scandal, Giannulli was announced as a celebrity cast member on the 30th season of "Dancing with the Stars." Being cast in the show was a significant step for her as she called it a "second chance," acknowledging her past mistakes and expressing her desire to evolve and learn from her experiences.
Olivia Jade with her dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy on season 30 of "Dancing with the Stars" | Source: Getty Images
Olivia Jade during season 30 of "Dancing with the Stars" | Source: Getty Images
She said, "Obviously, I'm not proud of the past." After the scandal, she returned to YouTube and started her podcast. Sometimes, her mom appears on her vlogs and posts. In November 2023, the mother-daughter duo appeared in their first-ever campaign, joining Steve Madden in the shoe brand's campaign, aptly called "The Perfect Pair."
The campaign was a significant milestone for both of them as they were photographed side-by-side in the designer's hometown of New York City, specifically in Soho. In an episode of her podcast, she acknowledged her privilege but emphasized that she works hard.
She shared that her interest in makeup started from watching her mom get her makeup done for events, which led her to start her own YouTube channel focusing on beauty and lifestyle.
She has also been associated with Jacob Elordi, and it first came into the limelight in 2021. They were seen grabbing coffee in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, and later hopping into his car together. As of January 2024, they are reported to be a couple and are still going strong but prefer to keep their relationship private.