Collin Gosselin's New Memoir Accuses Kate Gosselin of Abuse: Inside "In the Shadow of Eight"

Collin Gosselin, one of the eight kids from TLC’s“Jon&Kate Plus 8,”released a memoir Tuesday called“In the Shadow of Eight,”in which he accuses his mother, Kate Gosselin, of a violent and dark childhood. Among his allegations: physical abuse, verbal attacks, and being locked in a basement for two years. His sister Hannah has publicly corroborated the basement claims. Kate has denied abuse allegations since 2023, calling them“complete fabrications,”and has not commented on the book.

The memoir also pulls back the curtain on filming the show. Collin describes exhausting production conditions, a frightening fight between his parents before their 2009 divorce, and being prescribed six psychiatric medications at just eleven years old. He was sent to Fairmont Behavioral Health Institute in 2016, and his father, Jon Gosselin, gained custody of him in late 2018. The book arrives amid a long-running public rift between Collin and most of his siblings.

Beyond the family drama, the memoir is fueling a bigger debate about reality TV and the kids who grow up inside it. None of the Gosselin children chose fame, yet millions watched their childhoods play out on screen. Collin says he’s finally telling his side. What do you think: should reality shows be required to protect the kids who appear on them? Sound off in the comments.