By Michaela Gordoni
Willie and Korie Robertson stepped back into the DUCK DYNASTY world with their adult kids in DUCK DYNASTY: THE REVIVAL, a move they say proves fame didn’t “ruin” them.
“There was a point where everyone said, ‘Yeah, we’re ready, we wanna to do it,’ which was kind of, I think, fulfilling for Willie and I to be like, ‘OK, we didn’t ruin them by putting them on television when they were teenagers,’” Korie told Fox News Digital.
“It’s always a little scary because you’re like, ‘Oh, we decided to have a reality TV show about our family’s life when our kids were little.’ And the fact that they wanted to do it again…that felt good,” she said. “But we never wanted to put any pressure on anybody. And it was just a very unanimous decision.”
Korie recently told TV Insider that her kids had different struggles with the show because of their different ages, but nothing overtly negative happened as a result of the show.
“Our younger kids just remember all the fun. Will [Robertson] and Bella [Robertson], they were young enough that it was just all fun. They got to be with their cousins all the time,” she said.
“John Luke and Sadie were a little older,” she said. “It was their teen years when this was happening. So they definitely experienced maybe a little bit more of the hard sides of fame as teenagers.”
The couple are proud of their kids. Their daughter, Sadie Robertson Huff, has been a spiritual leader for Gen Z.
“She’s always been open about her life, her struggles, the good, the bad,” Korie told Fox News Digital. “That’s what people connected to.”
“She and Christian just did a podcast about a tough week. Someone broke into their car, their babies were sick, they ended up at the hospital — and what God was teaching them through it,” Korie said.
Korie is happy that her kids lean on their faith as they go through life.
“I’m proud of her — and all of our kids — for being lights in the world and saying, ‘We’re not perfect… but here’s what God’s teaching us in it.’ And hopefully we’re doing that through the show, too.”
Related: Back at It! The Robertsons Talk All Things DUCK DYNASTY: THE REVIVAL
The Robertsons were a little hesitant about airing their lives on TV again.
“It’s exciting and a little scary too…You’re putting everything out there,” Willie said. “Especially now — social media and all this. There’s times I’m like, ‘Oh no.'”
The show introduces their kids’ spouses and Willie and Korie’s grandkids.
“For their spouses…they’ve never been in a spotlight like that,” Willie said. “Most of them are in their 20s. I’m glad we didn’t have a show in our 20s…You’re still trying to figure out who you are.”
The Robersons didn’t know if they’d ever film again, but Willie told USA Today last month that the time finally “felt right.”
The show is different than their original series, especially since grandpa Phil Robertson died in May.
“I think it’s a combination of some sadness, just, we miss him, but also joy and happiness from what he believed…where he was going and all the things he was able to accomplish in his life,” Willie said.
“He was this man who lived down on the river, didn’t own a cell phone or a computer,” Korie told Fox News Digital. “What God did with his life… he was just truly passionately sold out for Jesus. For all of us, it’s brought even more of a boldness to our faith.”
They say there never would have been a DUCK DYNASTY without Phil.
“There wouldn’t have been a company had his life not changed. This family would not have stayed together,” Willie said. “It’s all responsible [for] his faith and his life change — he and Mom [Miss Kay] — to keep this family together.”
DUCK DYNASTY: THE REVIVAL is available on A&E, Hulu, Philo, Sling TV and other streamers.
Read Next: DUCK DYNASTY: THE REVIVAL Season 1: Episode 1
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