John Stamos defends ‘saint’ Lori Loughlin, blames her ex Mossimo Giannulli for college scandal

John Stamos recounted that he had tried to support Lori Loughlin during both her divorce and the college scandal
John Stamos defended Lori Loughlin amid her split from Mossimo Giannulli (Screengrab/GoodGuysPodcast/YouTube, Getty Images)
John Stamos defended Lori Loughlin amid her split from Mossimo Giannulli (Screengrab/GoodGuysPodcast/YouTube, Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor John Stamos has come out swinging in defense of his longtime friend and former 'Full House' star Lori Loughlin, calling her a “saint” while blasting her estranged husband Mossimo Giannulli as a “terrible narcissist” following their recent split.

Speaking on the 'Good Guys' podcast on Monday, October 20, the 62-year-old actor didn’t hold back as he opened up about the actress’s personal struggles in the wake of her marriage breakdown.

“Forty years I’ve known her,” Stamos said. “You can see through people after a few years. This woman’s a saint. I’m just heartbroken for her right now.”



John Stamos slams Mossimo Giannulli as 'narcissist'

Stamos accused Giannulli of being the driving force behind the 2019 college admissions scandal that sent both him and Loughlin to prison. “I really tried to be there for her during [the divorce] and also with the college scandal,” Stamos said. “I’m not going to debate whether she had much to do with it or not. I know she didn’t. She goes to f*****g prison for this a*****e for three months.”

The 'General Hospital' alum added that he prayed Giannulli would get help for “whatever hole he’s trying to fill.”

“Whatever negativity or hardships that you’ve been through in your life is connected to this guy,” Stamos continued. “Look, he’s a very successful dude. I will never talk to him again. He’s a terrible narcissist, and I don’t think you ever get out of that.”

Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli’s split after 28 years

Earlier this month, Loughlin’s representative confirmed to Page Six that she and Giannulli had separated after nearly 28 years of marriage. “Lori and Mossimo are living apart now,” the rep said, adding that “there are no legal proceedings underway.”

404525 02: Actress Lori Laughlin and husband/designer Mossimo Giannulli arrive April 26, 2002 at the
Actress Lori Laughlin and husband/designer Mossimo Giannulli arrive on April 26, 2002 at the Hard Rock Hotel (Getty Images)

A source told the outlet that the Fuller House star discovered “incriminating” texts and emails on Giannulli’s phone. “Mossimo had used Lori for years,” a friend claimed. “She was hoping maybe he would change when he got out of prison, but he got worse.”

Now, insiders say Loughlin “wants to have nothing to do with him” and is focused on rebuilding her life.

From scandal to separation

In 2019, the Department of Justice revealed that Loughlin and Giannulli paid $500,000 to secure their daughters, Isabella Rose and Olivia Jade, admission into the University of Southern California as fake rowing recruits.

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 03:  Lori Loughlin exits the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse after appearing
Lori Loughlin exits the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse after appearing in Federal Court to answer charges stemming from college admissions scandal on April 3, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts (Paul Marotta/Getty Images)

Loughlin served two months in a federal prison in Dublin, California, and was released in December 2020, while Giannulli completed a five-month sentence in Lompoc in April 2021.

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16:  Actress Lori Loughlin (C) and daughters Isabella Giannulli (R) and O
Actress Lori Loughlin (C) and daughters Isabella Giannulli (R) and Olivia Giannulli (L) attend the premiere of Netflix's 'Fuller House' at Pacific Theatres at The Grove on February 16, 2016 in Los Angeles, California (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Despite the fallout, a source told People that the couple’s daughters “love both their parents and just want them to be happy.”

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