John Stamos has opened up about his support for his former co-star Lori Loughlin during her involvement in the college admissions scandal. In his new memoir, “If You Would Have Told Me,” Stamos reflects on the scandal and reveals his private conversations with Loughlin during that time.
Stamos, 60, describes receiving a strange text from his friend Roger Lodge in March 2019, asking if Lori was okay. Intrigued, Stamos reached out to Loughlin to check on her. He recalls her nonchalant response, saying:
“‘Oh that, yeah, I’m not sure… I have seen some emails lately from lawyers to Moss, but I stay out of it.’” Stamos also noticed an odd clicking sound on the phone line and asked Loughlin about it, to which she casually replied, “‘Oh, they may be bugging my phone.’”
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Stamos admires Loughlin‘s composure and unwavering support for her daughters. He writes: “‘No matter how hard she was hit, how desperate everyone was to cancel her and throw her in with the pile of brutal criminals, she stood fast, protecting her daughters from the mud hurled at them day after day after day.’”
Stamos also reflects on his friendship with Loughlin, calling her a “cherished friend” and expressing his admiration for her resilience. He emphasizes that they have weathered storms together and stood by each other’s sides through life’s hurdles. Stamos acknowledges that he has seen Loughlin at her worst moments but commends her for not giving up or shifting the blame.
Loughlin served two months in prison
The college admissions scandal, also known as the “Varsity Blues” scheme, involved Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli bribing their daughters’ way into the University of Southern California as fake rowing recruits. Both Loughlin and Giannulli pleaded guilty in May 2020 and served time in prison before being released in December 2020 and April 2021, respectively.
The scandal not only affected Loughlin and Giannulli but also exposed a rigged higher-education system and led to the imprisonment of many wealthy parents and celebrities. Despite the controversy surrounding her, Stamos remains steadfast in his support for Loughlin and their friendship.
“Lori Loughlin continues to be a cherished friend to this day. We’ve weathered storms together and stood by each other’s sides, despite life’s hurdles. We’ve seen each other at our worst,” he writes.