Lori Loughlin Returns to Hallmark Spotlight Five Years After College Admissions Scandal

Lori Loughlin Returns to Hallmark Spotlight Five Years After College Admissions Scandal

Lori Loughlin is making a steady comeback to the Hallmark Channel, the network that once served as her professional home before the 2019 Varsity Blues scandal upended her career.

The former Full House star, now 61, has filmed three new projects for Hallmark since signing a multi-picture deal earlier this year. Her latest holiday movie, A Whitewater Christmas, premiered last month to solid ratings, and two additional films are already in post-production for 2026.

Industry observers note the return marks a remarkable turnaround for the actress, who served two months in federal prison in 2020 after pleading guilty to paying $500,000 to secure her daughters’ admission to USC as fake crew recruits. Hallmark dropped Loughlin from all programming at the time, along with its parent company Crown Media.

Since completing her sentence and two years of supervised release, Loughlin has kept a low profile while gradually rebuilding her on-screen presence. She first tested the waters with a guest role on When Hope Calls, a Great American Family spinoff of Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart, in 2021.

Sources close to the actress say she is grateful for the second chance and has expressed relief at being welcomed back by longtime fans. Recent paparazzi photos showing Loughlin having lunch in Beverly Hills with an unidentified male friend have fueled speculation about the state of her 27-year marriage to fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, who also served prison time in the scandal. Neither Loughlin nor Giannulli has commented on the rumors.

For now, the actress appears focused on work. Hallmark executives have praised her professionalism on set and confirmed she remains under contract for additional movies next year