Scandal Was a ‘Kiss of Death’ for Lori Loughlin, But Felicity Huffman Will ‘Recover’, Expert Says

From the beginning of the college admissions scandal, it was apparent the two famous moms involved would be handling it very differently. While Felicity Huffman pleaded guilty and owned up to her wrongdoings, Lori Loughlin is still defending her innocence. The way these two ladies handled themselves over the past few months will have lasting implications for their careers, reputation and management expert Eric Schiffer told In Touch exclusively.

Schiffer believes Loughlin’s behavior since her arrest has been a “kiss of death” for her career. “She has thumbed her nose and approached the whole process in a very arrogant style that has choked off compassion and empathy that she would have normally had to some extent with her fans and she’s taken her brand and created a blistering of fact to what was a beloved and trusted celebrity for years,” he explained.

“Can she recover from a felony and being in prison for a period of time? Yes,” Schiffer said. “But it’s going to require her to show a level of regret and remorse and for her to begin to build back and create a story that allows people to reconnect with her and understand how she could have been, and how she could have made these decisions and also act in the ways that she did post-indictment that caused such an odious element to her and her celebrity.”

As for Huffman, 56, she may be looking at a completely different fate, and, perhaps, a rise in her fandom. “Felicity has gone through a terrible, really difficult and painful journey. But the difference is, she is going to come out the other side and people already can relate to her and it also allows for her to play an arrange of characters,” Schiffer said. “She now can play dark characters. And so her career is going to recover. I would imagine that in time if when we look back, she’ll have a Martha Stewart like arch or she may even go to a higher level.”

Back in March, both women were charged with various counts of fraud. Since then, Huffman pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 days in prison, while Loughlin, 55, has continually pleaded not guilty despite the mounting evidence against her. She could be facing years of jail time. Only time will tell what will happen to these beloved actresses.