What happened to Duck Dynasty, and why did the Robertsons seem to disappear from TV over the last seven years? In August 2023, E! News reported that the Duck Dynasty family considered a return to the spotlight “on their own terms” after their reality show ended in April 2017.
E! News also spoke exclusively with Korie and Sadie Robertson. The mother and daughter made some shocking revelations about the family’s “emotional” comeback — although E! News joked that it was more of a “quackback” than a comeback.
Korie told Francesa Amiker of E! News that their reality show “was a whirlwind, and it was fun because we were getting to do it as a family,” but she admitted, “It did feel like it was time for us to pull everything back.” Sadie revealed that the whole Robertson family are “dreamers and doers.” She explained, “We like to do new things, and having the time of those years [away from the show] to do that was awesome.”
Since the OG Duck Dynasty ended, Sadie has done more “doing” than just “dreaming.” She wrote a bestseller, started her own podcast, and, most importantly, became a young mom of two beautiful baby girls with her husband, Christian.
Sadie will turn 27 years old in June 2024, and even though she’s really young to have accomplished everything she has to date, she believes that everyone in her family has “grown into who we are all as individuals.” She also claimed, “That might not have happened if we were still doing the same thing,” and by the “same thing,” she meant the reality show.
Sadie also mentioned, “We’ll see what the future holds.” For the Robertsons, their return to the spotlight was happening at the same time as their E! News interview.
The Blind Told the Story of the Robertsons
E! News teased the release of a Phil and Kay Robertson biopic called The Blind, which IMDB called the “true story” of the Robertson family. The Blind’s initial release date was September 28, 2023, and the Shreveport Times claimed it was a box office success after it made more than $17 million locally in four weeks.
Sadie and Korie gave E! News the inside scoop about how the Robertson family reacted to the shocking biopic behind closed doors. Sadie confessed that it was “really hard” to watch the film and realize the painful past that Phil and Kay went through together. But Sadie also claimed she was inspired by the message in The Blind and believed that “there’s no one” who is “without hope” in this life.
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For Korie, watching The Blind felt like “reliving Phil and Kay’s story.” She claimed that the family came together to handle the film in the same way they’ve faced everything, and E! News called it “a skill they honed during [Duck Dynasty’s] five-year run.”
Korie revealed that the family always asks themselves, “Okay, what is most important,” and “Who do we care about?” She claimed that the Robertsons care most about the opinions of people who know them. She added, “It’s people that you sit across the table from whose opinion really matters,” and “We try to live our life that way.”
Sadie revealed that “good boundaries” had helped her gain “a fresh perspective” and stay “rooted in my people.” In the E! News interview, she explained that she’d stayed off social media for seven months in 2023 and admitted, “Sometimes you do have to step away, and it was so good.”
The Robertsons Are Starting a Production Company
The Blind shows the good and very bad parts of Phil’s life, beginning in Louisiana during the 1960s. Phil is portrayed as being a heavy drinker who is unfaithful to Kay before he does the hard emotional work and turns his life around.
Sadie might not have gone through the emotional turmoil and substance issues that her grandpa did sixty years ago. However, her break from social media was still a “hard pill to swallow,” even though Sadie knew she needed some boundaries to save her mental health.
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She alleges she experienced so much negativity on social media that Sadie finally had to tell herself, “I’m not just gonna keep getting beat up by this.” She decided to “take a minute” to “get stronger and come back with the right voices” guiding her from inside herself.
Meanwhile, Korie confessed something to E! News that Duck Dynasty fans have been waiting to hear! Before The Blind was released to theaters, the Robertsons announced they were starting a production company, and according to Korie, the Duck Dynasty gang may be returning to TV.
Korie explained that the world of “entertainment needs more positivity,” and the Robertsons are looking at projects “that are hopeful, that are light, and that point towards faith.” She claimed, “We want to do more of that,” and if that means “coming back to unscripted TV,” Korie admitted, “Maybe, we’ll see!”
Phil Had a Secret Daughter
Phil has appeared on someone’s social media quite a bit over the last several years and the reason is shocking. E! News reported that one of Phil’s affairs from “decades ago” had produced a child. He didn’t realize he had a secret adult daughter until 2020.
Phil allegedly did a DNA test, which showed he was a 99.9% match to be the father of Phyllis Thomas. After Phil discovered he was Phyllis’s dad, the Robertsons immediately accepted her into their tight-knit family. Phyllis began documenting their growing relationship on social media and confessed, “So thankful God brought us together after all these years.”
In January 2021, Phyllis posted an anniversary note on social media. She wrote, “This day one year ago marks the beginning of my life with my real dad after learning paternity tests came back positive.” While Phyllis revealed there had “been ups and downs” on “this crazy ride,” she still believed that “God works for the good of those who love Him,” and she said she was “so very thankful” that the day “ended on a positive note.”
In April 2021, Phil and “Miss Kay” invited Phyllis and her husband to Easter dinner at the Robertson house. The photos on social media showed that they also got to meet “Uncle” Si Robertson.
Phyllis Is Officially Part of the Family
Phyllis has revealed on Instagram that her dad was teaching her some special Duck Dynasty-type things. In May 2021, she posted a note and picture of Phil showing her “how to make mayhaw jelly.”
On Father’s Day that year, Phyllis wrote, “Dad taught me how to make crawfish au gratin.” She also confided that the meal was “delicious,” and Father’s Day was “memorable… the first one I’ve ever spent with him.”
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When Christmas rolled around that year, Phyllis and her husband were once again special guests at the family’s holiday celebration. A picture of Phil, Miss Kay, and Phyllis’s half-brothers Al, Jace, Willie, and Jep was taken.
It sounds like Phil’s life is full of hope and positivity, which Korie says the Robertsons want to bring back to television. In April 2023, he wished fans and followers “a joyous Easter” on Instagram, and he said their family was celebrating “the miracle of the resurrection, our hope in Jesus, and the promise of what’s to come.”
For Duck Dynasty fans, hopefully, that promise includes more Robertson family projects on film and TV!
