Collin Gosselin prepares for the October 13 release of his memoir, In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood, published by Grand Central Publishing, while his estranged mother Kate Gosselin is reportedly nervous about its contents, according to sources speaking to Page Six. The 22-year-old author, who appears in season 5 of Fox’s reality competition series Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, spent years estranged from his mother after she sent him to a behavioral health institution in 2016.
Memoir Details Reality TV Trauma
The upcoming book explores Collin’s firsthand accounts of growing up under the spotlight of TLC reality television. According to sources cited by Page Six, Kate Gosselin considers any family members who speak about their past to be “traitors” and has attempted to prevent disclosures regarding her relationship with former bodyguard Steve Neild. Collin stated that writing the memoir served as an intensive form of therapy and a way to advocate for children thrust into the entertainment industry against their will.
Custody History and Family Division
Collin’s estrangement from his mother dates back to 2016, when he entered an institution at age 11 following allegations of behavioral issues. His father, Jon Gosselin, subsequently located him and secured legal and physical custody after a 2009 divorce that initially stripped Jon of custody over all eight children. Hannah Gosselin, one of Collin’s sextuplet siblings, also left Kate’s household to live with Jon. Meanwhile, siblings Joel, Alexis, Leah, Aaden, Mady, and Cara have remained with Kate and continue to remain estranged from Jon.
Publication Timeline
- October 13: Release date for In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood via Grand Central Publishing.
- September 17: Collin Gosselin appears on the red carpet for Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test season 5.
- September 24: Season 5 of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.
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