Savannah Chrisley gives it her all on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test Season 2 — but after three days of military boot camp, the Chrisley Knows Best star realizes her heart lies at home with her brother and sister, both of whom she has custody of since her parents Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley reported to federal prison earlier this year.
But before she hands over her armband, Savannah opens up about life since her parents were sentenced to a combined 19 years behind bars. While she says you “learn the most in the midst of your drama,” her mental state takes a quick decline after failing the first task of the episode.
“I just don’t feel great,” she tells her fellow recruits. “Even that last task, I’m just not mentally in it so it’s hard. It’s just all the worries at home and the fear of something happening while I’m gone. I think this whole thing taught me that I’m probably softer than I lead on to be.”
Savannah further details her emotional reason for joining Special Forces when she gets called in to speak with the show’s instructors.
“I think a big thing was this was the last show I watched with my parents before they left. My mom watched it and she was like, ‘You could do that.’ And so I think that’s a big reason. But both my parents were just sentenced to a combined 19 years in federal prison,” she says, explaining that they were found guilty of “alleged financial crimes.”
According to the 25-year-old reality star, having custody of her 10-year-old sister and 17-year-old brother only makes things more difficult.
“It’s tough and I missed the first Father’s Day. I’m not there and that’s what sucks — is not having that contact while I’ve been gone,” she admits, to which Rudy Reyes replies, “You’re a mother and a father to your brother and sister. And if you make it today, tomorrow, maybe to the end, think of the modeling that you’ll be doing for them. Ignore that voice. It is the insecurity, it’s the fear. Ignore it. Keep your head in the fight.”
Back in the barracks, Jack Osbourne attempts to console Savannah as he calls the show a “cakewalk” compared to what she’s been through in the last year.
“With all due respect, you don’t know what it’s like to have both your parents in federal prison and having to take custody of a 10-year-old and a 17-year-old,” she fires back. “That’s the thing. I feel like shit for not being there. I think for the first time in my life, I love two people more than I love myself.”
Savannah ultimately throws in the towel ahead of the second course of the day. She is the third person from this episode to quit the show, following Beverly Hills, 90210 star Brian Austin Green and former NBA player Robert Horry.
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test airs every Monday at 9/8c on Fox.