Collin Gosselin took to TikTok recently to post a heartfelt tribute to Colleen Conrad– the former girlfriend of Jon Gosselin– for being a mother figure to him amid his ongoing estrangement from mom Kate Gosselin.
As fans know, Collin is one of Jon and ex-wife Kate’s eight children and one of the Gosselin sextuplets. While the former Jon and Kate Plus 8 star continues to have a relationship with his father– who gained custody of Collin and daughter Hannah in 2018– he remains estranged from his six other siblings as well as Kate, who sent him to a behavioral institution as a pre-teen. In recent years, Collin alleged that his mom subjected him to emotional and physical abuse when he was a child. (Kate, through her attorney, refused to comment on the allegations last year.)
While Collin has not had a relationship with his mother for many years, he found a mother figure in Colleen during her seven-year relationship with Jon, with the mom of two even defending Collin on social media in 2023 after Kate publicly called Collin “a very troubled man” in response to claims he’d made about her.
Though Colleen and Jon called it quits in 2021 and Jon has moved on with Stephanie Lebo, to whom he’s now engaged, Collin recently posted a tribute to his dad’s ex on TikTok, writing in the caption that he has “the greatest people” in his life who have helped him through “so much.”
“I always say that every man needs a mother, and I am so thankful I had mine… Thank you Colleen,” he added. “And thank you to everyone who has come into my life and been there for me.”
Along with a series of photos featuring himself and Colleen, Collin wrote in his TikTok that he “always believed that family didn’t have to be blood,” noting that Colleen has always showed up for him, despite his own mother failing to do the same.
“You cheered for me the loudest when I graduated, while my mother didn’t,” Collin wrote. “You introduced me to your family, and they are now my family. You never gave up on me, no matter how much I gave up on myself … Always my cheerleader. I love you Colleen.
Colleen went on to comment on Collin’s TikTok, telling him she loves him and that she’s “so blessed” he came into her life.
“I will always consider you my son,” she wrote. “I wish everybody knew what an amazing person you are. I get angry and it hurts me so much to see people write negative comments when they don’t know you and what you’ve been through. I’m glad you’re finally writing your story.”
Colleen also confirmed that she and Collin continue to see each other, while her daughter, Jordan Conrad, shared that Collin’s heartfelt tribute to her mother made her “tear up.”
“What a blessing it was to have you come into our lives 🤍 love you always!” Jordan wrote, to which Collin replied, “I love you so much. I am so lucky to have you and [your brother] Jesse.”
Collin also responded to multiple comments from fans, including some calling out Kate’s shortcomings as a mother.
“Every boy deserves a GOOD woman to call mom! Not one that uses them for fame and money,” one person wrote. “Not one that belittles them in front of millions of people! One that loves them unconditionally, and quietly when their sons need it and loudly when it’s appropriate. It makes this momma’s heart happy to see that you finally have that!”
“She’s also the most hardworking woman I know,” Collin said of Colleen. “She’s always been a great role model to me.”
“Not me crying at 1230am,” another person commented on Collin’s TikTok. “This makes my heart so happy to see that you had someone there as a mother figure when your mother failed you. Keep shining bud and know your worth.”
“I’m crying at 12:30 too,” Collin replied. “I love her so much, I am so lucky to have her.”
Collin confirmed to another fan that Colleen tells him “all the time” how fortunate she is to have him in her life; however, he insists he’s “really the lucky one.”
“She taught me what a family should be,” he added.
Click here to watch Collin’s TikTok tribute to Colleen.
RELATED STORY: Collin Gosselin Writing a Tell-All Exposing Mom Kate’s Alleged Abuse Which Will Include “Proof” of His Recent Claims Against Her
(Photos: Instagram; TikTok)
5 Responses
I think this is so sweet and well deserved from Collin to Colleen. I think it says SO much when a person CHOOSES to be a mom to someone that isn’t biologically theirs when someone’s BIO mom refuses to be one… Kate disgusts me. I’m glad Collin had/has Colleen <3 Very sweet for him to acknowledge this. I truly feel for Collin- Kate clearly vilified him for whatever reason- I cannot imagine choosing one of my sons over one of the others (I have three boys- I tell them they are each my favorite- but for different reasons LOL) and also sending ONE away for no reason (I am still convinced NOTHING was wrong with him except him being a boy and his reacting to how he was treated). I just can't imagine doing that… It honestly makes me sick.
Kate never really liked the boys. She favorites were the girls. She made many comments on the show about boys being dirty and gross. Add on the fact that Collin fought back against her and she couldn’t handle it like a typical narcissist. Hannah fought back too…and she did the same thing to her. You aren’t allowed to go against Queen Kate in that family. Imagine being a teenager and not being allowed to rebel at all or even have your own identity outside what your mother dearest wants. It must have been miserable.
*Her favorites
This kid needs some therapy though. I think it’s beautiful what he’s written but he’s clearly hurting and heartbroken by the abandonment and mistreatment from Kate. Someone help him move on from this.
This makes me really happy for Collin. They are family. Sometimes the ones you choose are better than the ones you had.