Patricia Arquette Hopes People Are 'Gentle' with Gypsy Rose Blanchard After Her Prison Release (Exlclusive)

The actress starred as Blanchard's mom, Clauddine 'Dee Dee' Blanchard, in the 2019 drama series 'The Act'

Patricia Arquette is speaking out about Gypsy Rose Blanchard's release from prison for the first time since the 32-year-old was released on Dec. 28.

Arquette portrayed Gypsy's mother Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard in 2019's drama series The Act alongside Joey King as Gypsy, She spoke exclusively to PEOPLE at The Art of Elysium 2024 Heaven Gala at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on Saturday about her reaction when she heard Gypsy was being released.

"She's all grown up and she's been through a lot. And there's a weird thing of art imitating life and then the reality," the actress said of Gypsy.

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"And I think from someone who had a very specific, difficult childhood to come into this age of Instagram craziness, TikTok — I don't know. I hope it's not too much. And I hope people are gentle on her, and I hope she enjoys her freedom. No child should ever go through that," she continued.

MPS, also called  Factitious Disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic, "is a serious mental disorder in which someone deceives others by appearing sick, by purposely getting sick or by self-injury. Factitious disorder also can happen when family members or caregivers falsely present others, such as children, as being ill, injured or impaired."

Related: Patricia Arquette Rocks Golden Globes Afterparty in a Viking Hat After 'The Act' Win

Arquette also said that though she was "fascinated" by Dee Dee and Gypsy's story because the particulars of it were so "unnatural," her kids Harlow Jane and Enzo Rossi were initially against her playing the murder victim, who had Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MPS).

"They're like, 'Don't do that. We know that story. Please, mom, don't do that,' " Arquette recalled of her children's reaction when she told them she was considering portraying Dee Dee in The Act.

"I'm like, 'You guys. I Not going to turn into her. What are you talking about?' " The Severance star took the role despite Jane and Rossi's skepticism. She received an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal.

Related: Gypsy Rose Blanchard Shares Behind-the-Scenes of 'First Time' in New York City: 'Total Tourist'

Gypsy pleaded guilty to her part in Dee Dee's 2015 murder in July 2016 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. She received parole and was released in December after serving 85% of her sentence.

"I hope she has a beautiful life," Arquette says of Gypsy.

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