Kriti Mehrotra
As documentary series’ living up to their titles in every way conceivable, Lifetime’s ‘The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard’ and ‘Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up’ can only be described as equal parts baffling and haunting. That’s because they comprise exclusive interviews with not just the titular convicted felon but also her loved ones to really shine a light upon precisely why she orchestrated her mother’s murder as well as its aftermath. Amongst them are actually her father, Rod Blanchard, plus her stepmother, Kristy Blanchard — two individuals who genuinely care for her each step of the way yet had no idea about the abuse she was enduring every day.
Who Are Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s Parents?
Despite the fact Gypsy was born to Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard and Rod Blanchard in July 1981, she actually considers Kristy her mother because the latter has given her the kind of love and affection she never received from the former. The truth is Kristy first came across Rod while his daughter was merely 6 months old, so she has been a part of her life from almost the get-go and genuinely cares for her just like any parental figure would. The fact Rod had already long divorced Dee Dee — before Gypsy was even born — also helped make things less complicated, leading them to decide they could be a family, with her biological mother having full custody.
Rod was admittedly a willing, loving father, but he wasn’t always present in Gypsy’s life owing to his desire to always work hard to provide for her, and so the case was the same for Kristy. However, they always ensured to make her feel included in their lives too by constantly keeping in touch and trying to ask for what her needs — to which she’d only respond “nothing but love” — unaware Dee Dee had started lying to everybody. Since this couple wasn’t there to witness Gypsy’s day-to-day and could see physical evidence of health issues in her wheelchair use, they actually believed Dee Dee whenever she said the little girl was suffering from some issue.
Whether it be sleep apnea, asthma, chromosomal disorder, muscular dystrophy, or eventually leukemia, they believed everything, which is why Rod was sending her roughly $1100 per month. Moreover, they had no idea Dee Dee was also lying to Gypsy, claiming her father was abusive and happier without her because he and Kristy were now married and had also welcomed a daughter into this world; Mia, born in 2001. Then there’s the fact their face-to-face meeting dwindled to zero once the mother-daughter duo relocated to Missouri following Hurricane Katrina, but they still tried to talk on the phone.
Nevertheless, neither Rod nor Kristy had any idea precisely how Dee Dee treated their elder daughter or what she was going through right until her arrest for murder in June 2015. They witnessed the scene and realized Gypsy had gone through a lot, which is why they stood by her every step of the way even though they don’t condone her actions — they just wish she knew she could come to them for help. Their mission thus became to care for her in the way they always wanted to and rebuild their bond on the foundation of trust, whether it be when she was behind bars or now that she’s leading a free life for the first time.
Where Are Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s Parents Now?
Despite the fact Rod and Kristy didn’t particularly like the fact Gypsy got married while she was still incarcerated, without any real-world experience, they unwaveringly supported her. And now, even as she’s undergoing a divorce upon having rekindled her romance with ex-fiancé, Ken Urke, they’re standing by her side. This duo just wants the very best for their daughter and understands that she’s in a unique position considering the publicity around her, so they just don’t want her to get hurt or be taken advantage of. In saying that, they do trust her and want her to be happy, so they’re navigating their emotions to give her the right advice and keep the door open if she ever needs it, which she admittedly does.
We should mention it was actually Kristy, who Gypsy lovingly now calls mom that reconnected her stepdaughter and Ken following her release from prison. “It’s all my fault, and I’ll gladly take the blame,” she recently told People. “I wanted them back together. I made that happen. Put the heat on me. Gypsy will finally get her happily ever after. Ken’s moving to New Orleans to be with her soon. He found a place. Gypsy is so excited to have him closer. A love like theirs comes once in a lifetime.” Now, Gypsy often calls her parents or Mia for advice on life, love, and reality, and they’re happy to respond no matter where they are. Coming to their current standing, Rod and Kristy are based in Louisiana too, where they’re trying their best to move on from the past while admittedly being ready do anything for Gypsy at the drop of a hat.
Read More: Where is Gypsy Rose Blanchard Now?
