The Chrisley family has long been a fixture in American reality television, known for their opulent lifestyle and family dynamics portrayed on "Chrisley Knows Best." However, beneath the surface of televised glamour lies a complex web of relationships, legal battles, and personal struggles. At the heart of one of the most enduring and intricate narratives within the Chrisley universe are Kyle Chrisley, the eldest son of patriarch Todd Chrisley, and Angela Johnson, the mother of his daughter, Chloe Chrisley.
Their story is far from simple, marked by a tumultuous romantic relationship, a challenging co-parenting journey, and a high-stakes custody battle that has recently gained renewed public attention following the legal troubles of Todd and Julie Chrisley.
Kyle Chrisley, a reality television personality and the eldest son of Todd Chrisley, had an intimate relationship with Angela Victoria Johnson. Angela, described as an American actress and entrepreneur, rose to prominence largely through her connection to Kyle. While they never married, their relationship resulted in the birth of their daughter, Chloe Chrisley, in 2012 (some sources also mention 2013 for Chloe's birth, when Kyle was only 22). From the outset, their shared parenthood was destined to be complicated.
Chloe quickly became a familiar face to fans of "Chrisley Knows Best," often appearing as the "little star" of the TV reality show. However, her upbringing was predominantly overseen by her grandparents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, rather than her biological parents, setting the stage for future conflicts.
The relationship between Kyle and Angela was anything but smooth, frequently characterized as "toxic." Allegations of domestic disputes surfaced, painting a grim picture of their interactions. In an interview, Angela Victoria Johnson alleged that Kyle tried to choke her and threatened her and the baby with a knife. This serious accusation prompted immediate action from the Chrisley family, who sent Kyle to rehab and had him do some charity work in Asia, seemingly in an effort to address his issues and rehabilitate his image.
Custody of Chloe became a contentious issue early on. Initially, Johnson had Chloe with Kyle Chrisley, and both were granted joint custody. However, this arrangement was short-lived and fraught with tension. On October 7th, 2013, Angela Victoria Johnson was served with a suit because she had reportedly not allowed the Chrisleys to see Chloe. Once the suit was settled, she had to share custody of her daughter with the Chrisley family.
The situation took a significant turn in 2016. Kyle ultimately lost custody of his daughter during his battle with drug addiction. This left Angela to share custody with Todd and Julie Chrisley. For years following this, Todd and Julie Chrisley primarily raised Chloe, integrating her fully into their household and the "Chrisley Knows Best" narrative, effectively becoming her legal parents and guardians.
Throughout the years, Chloe Chrisley has been a central figure in the Chrisley family's public life. Despite the complexities surrounding her biological parents, she has seemingly thrived under the care of Todd and Julie. Her presence on the reality show endeared her to many viewers, who watched her grow up on screen.
However, the underlying custody arrangement, where Todd and Julie shared custody with Angela until 2016, and then assumed primary care, always held the potential for further legal challenges, especially given the turbulent history between Kyle and Angela.
The legal landscape surrounding Chloe's custody dramatically shifted following the conviction and subsequent prison sentences of Todd and Julie Chrisley for bank fraud and tax evasion. As soon as news broke of their impending incarceration, Angela Johnson wasted no time trying to regain custody of Chloe Chrisley.
Chloe Chrisley’s birth mother, Angela Johnson, made her intentions clear, publicly stating her desire to have her daughter back. “I want her home. She deserves to be home,” Angela expressed, indicating her belief that Chloe should be with her biological mother now that her primary caregivers were unavailable.
This move reignited the long-standing custody dispute. When news broke that Savannah Chrisley, Todd and Julie's daughter, would step in as guardian of Chloe with Todd and Julie behind bars, Angela did briefly come into the public eye again, underscoring the ongoing nature of the family's custody arrangements.
Todd and Julie Chrisley, even from their incarcerated positions, responded to Chloe’s biological mother, Angela Johnson, who claims to get her daughter back home. The "Chrisley Knows Best" stars have clarified their position as Chloe’s legal parents, emphasizing the established legal framework that has been in place for years, even after Johnson told her story.
The intricate tale of Angela Victoria Johnson and Kyle Chrisley, and by extension, the entire Chrisley family, continues to captivate. The blurred lines of relationships, legal battles, and the welfare of a child remain central to their narrative. From a relationship marked by serious allegations and addiction to ongoing custody disputes, the saga highlights the profound challenges faced by families in the public eye.
Kyle Chrisley, the estranged son of Todd Chrisley, has had a long and difficult journey, marked by personal struggles that led to him losing custody of his daughter. Angela Johnson, Chloe's biological mother, has consistently sought to assert her parental rights, particularly now that the primary caregivers are out of the picture. The situation underscores that despite the glamour and drama of reality television, the core issues of family, responsibility, and a child's well-being are profoundly real.