Gypsy-Rose Blanchard, now liberated from a Missouri prison, is utilizing her voice and a substantial social media following to shed light on the profound medical, emotional, and physical abuse she endured at the hands of her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard. In a new six-episode docuseries titled “The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard,” airing on Lifetime from Friday through Sunday, Gypsy-Rose candidly discloses the harrowing details of her past, including the motivations behind her involvement in her mother’s murder.
Gypsy-Rose vividly recalls the day she entered prison as a moment of liberation, expressing her newfound freedom to make friends and engage in activities within the confines of a controlled environment. This release is explored in-depth in the docuseries, providing audiences with a unique perspective on Gypsy-Rose’s life post-incarceration.
The series delves into the nightmarish saga of Dee Dee’s continuous deception, which included shaving Gypsy-Rose’s head to fabricate a leukemia diagnosis, compelling her to use a wheelchair, and subjecting her to unnecessary medical procedures. These shocking revelations were previously explored in HBO’s 2017 documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest” and Hulu’s 2019 limited drama series “The Act.”
Prompted by Gypsy-Rose, her boyfriend Nick Godejohn carried out the murder of Dee Dee on June 9, 2015, at their home in Springfield, Missouri. Godejohn received a life sentence without parole, while Gypsy-Rose was released on December 28 after serving 8 1/2 years of a 10-year sentence.
The Lifetime docuseries, capturing Gypsy-Rose’s life and background during her time at Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri, features insightful interviews with key figures, including Gypsy-Rose’s father Rod Blanchard, stepmother Kristy Blanchard, Dee Dee’s father Claude Pitre, brother Evans Pitre, and Gypsy-Rose’s pediatrician, Dr. Robert Steele.
One aspect explored in the series is how Dee Dee orchestrated the fabrication of Gypsy-Rose’s health issues. Kristy reveals that at the age of 8, Dee Dee informed her that Gypsy-Rose had been diagnosed with leukemia, a claim that Kristy did not question. Gypsy-Rose’s pediatrician, Dr. Steele, notes that Dee Dee never provided medical records, attributing their absence to Hurricane Katrina.
Dr. Steele details Dee Dee’s assertions of Gypsy-Rose suffering from a seizure disorder, muscular dystrophy, and a history of cancer, despite the absence of concrete evidence. Gypsy-Rose underwent surgery to remove salivary glands, allegedly to address drooling, a procedure she attributes to Dee Dee’s use of Orajel. This surgery resulted in Gypsy-Rose losing several teeth.
Gypsy-Rose explains her silence about Dee Dee’s actions, expressing fear of her mother and a deep-seated desire for her attention. The complex relationship was marked by alternating phases of affection and rebellion, where compliance was rewarded with gifts and affection, creating a cycle that reinforced Gypsy-Rose’s submission.
Another disturbing revelation concerns an alleged molestation by Gypsy-Rose’s grandfather, Claude Pitre, during a period when she stayed with him after Dee Dee’s car accident. Gypsy-Rose asserts that her grandfather performed sexual acts and made her touch him. Pitre denies the allegations, suggesting that Gypsy-Rose initiated inappropriate behavior at a young age.
In 2011, Gypsy-Rose hatched a plan to escape her mother’s clutches after discovering her real age, 19, as opposed to the claimed 15. Meeting a man named Dan at a sci-fi convention, she decided to flee to his Arkansas farm. Despite her efforts, complications arose, and Gypsy-Rose found herself unable to escape Missouri due to Dan’s parole restrictions.
Lifetime’s docuseries provides a comprehensive exploration of Gypsy-Rose’s tumultuous journey, shedding light on the intricate web of deception, abuse, and ultimately, her pursuit of freedom. The series offers audiences an intimate look into the aftermath of a disturbing chapter in Gypsy-Rose’s life, as she seeks to reclaim agency and understanding in the aftermath of profound trauma.