Trigger Warning: This story contains descriptions of child abuse.
Collin Gosselin says he isn’t nervous about the upcoming release of his memoir, In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood, though there is someone who should be nervous: his estranged mom, Kate.
While attending an event for his upcoming appearance on Season 5 of ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,’ the former ‘Jon and Kate Plus 8’ star was asked if he’s “nervous” for people to read his memoir once it hits shelves next month. Without skipping a beat, the 22-year-old proceeded to deliver a true mic-drop moment.
“I mean, I’m just going to say this, I’m not the one that should be nervous,” he replied, clearly referring to his estranged mother.
As The Ashley previously reported, Collin’s memoir is set to detail his time on reality TV– where he starred alongside Kate, his dad Jon and seven siblings– as well as the horrific emotional and physical abuse he alleges his mom Kate inflected on him as a child. That abuse, Collin claims, included Kate zip-tying his hands and feet together and locking him in a basement. (Kate, through her attorney, refused to comment on the allegations when Collin came forward in 2024.)
As you may remember, Collin was also sent by his mom to live in a mental health facility at the age of 12. Collin maintains that Kate made this decision after people started noticing his abuse. Kate, however, has claimed that she chose to institutionalize Collin due to his behavioral issues.
Collin remained in the mental health facility for nearly two years, at which point Jon was granted custody of the then-14-year-old. Collin moved in with his dad and sister Hannah, and the two siblings remained in Jon’s care until adulthood. Meanwhile, Collin and Jon remain estranged from Kate, as well as the other Gosselin siblings (Mady, Cara, Alexis, Leah, Joel and Aaden).
Collin’s recent (and rightfully snarky) remark about his mom’s reception to his memoir comes a few months after Daily Mail reported that Kate was “spiraling” over the contents set to be revealed in Collin’s book.
Collin reacted to the report at the time by posting a screenshot of the New York Post’s version of the story to his Instagram Story, along with a comment left on the post by a fan. (Collin also took it upon himself to blur the photo of Kate that was featured with the story.)
“What’s done in darkness will always come to light,” the fan wrote.
While promoting his book last week on social media, Collin shared with followers how he’s managed to turn his childhood pain into motivation to help others with similar experiences.
“For a long time, I carried my childhood struggles with me and let them tear me down,” Collin wrote. “Today, as an adult, I choose to use those hardships as fuel to keep moving forward and to help others who may be facing their own struggles.
“It’s important to remind ourselves that our deepest wounds don’t have to define us,” he continued. “They can become the very reason we choose to heal, grow, and help others.”
Fans can watch Collin compete on the new season of ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,’ premiering Thursday, September 24 on FOX. His book, In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood, hits shelves October 13 and is currently available for preorder.
Click here to preorder Collin’s book using The Ashley’s Amazon Associates link!
You can watch Collin’s mic-drop moment below.
RELATED STORY: Collin Gosselin Says He Used His Rough Childhood to Motivate Him on ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test’
(Photos: Instagram; TLC)
I’m proud of him honestly. It looks like he has worked through the trauma of what Kate did to him. I wish him nothing but success for his book.
I think he will definitely do better on Special Forces. Kate was laughably horrible! I will be rooting for him all the way!