Collin Gosselin Details Shocking Abuse Allegations Against Mom Kate, Who Calls His Claims Unfounded

In his memoir 'In the Shadow of Eight', 22-year-old Collin Gosselin alleged that his mother Kate zip-tied his hands and feet and pulled him by his earlobe until it turned purple.

The former child reality star has stepped forward to expose what he describes as a dark reality behind the cameras.

Collin grew up directly in the public eye on national television.

Now, he claims that the wholesome family image presented on screen hid years of severe mistreatment.

His mother, Kate Gosselin, strongly disputes these assertions.

She has firmly pushed back against the claims, labeling them unfounded.

Collin is detailing the alleged abuse he claims to have suffered from his mother throughout his childhood.

According to Collin, the shocking acts originally began during the filming of the family hit series, Jon & Kate Plus 8.

He has now chosen to speak out publicly following the release of his tell-all memoir.

"My whole life that I lived was a lie. All the things you see on TV, lies," Collin stated plainly.

BEHIND THE REALITY TV CURTAIN

Collin's parents, Jon and Kate Gosselin, were married for a decade before entering a nasty divorce in 2009.

Together, the couple raised eight children under intense public scrutiny.

The family consists of twin daughters Mady and Cara, who are now 26 years old.

It also includes sextuplets Aaden, Alexis, Collin, Hannah, Joel, and Leah.

The entire clan rose to national fame on TLC's Jon & Kate Plus 8 starting in 2007.

The original series ran through 2009 until the parents' highly publicized split.

TLC then rebranded and renamed the show Kate Plus 8.

That revamped program aired from 2010 through 2017.

Collin claims that the alleged mistreatment escalated when he started pushing back against producers and his mother during filming.

He explained that childhood scenes were far from spontaneous.

"We were redoing takes, it was like, 'Cry a little harder, laugh a little louder,' and that's what caused me to say I don't want to be a part of this machine anymore," Collin shared.

Collin noted that the difficult situation at home worsened dramatically after his parents' divorce.

PHYSICAL ALLEGATIONS DETAILED

In his book, Collin recounts specific instances where he alleges his mother turned physically abusive.

"My mom had pulled me out of my room by my earlobe, and my ear was purple and swollen," Collin stated.

The physical mark did not go unnoticed by outside observers.

Collin said his school teacher saw the injury at the time.

"My teacher saw it. I went and talked to my guidance counselor and told them about it. And my mom was not very happy that I spoke about that," Collin revealed.

The allegations documented in his memoir go even further.

Collin claims that his mother went so far as to zip-tie his hands and feet together.

He was eventually removed from the family home entirely.

At age 11, Collin was placed in an institution and residential treatment facility.

While housed in the facility, Collin was put on medication.

He had no contact with his family during this prolonged institutionalization.

Collin remains estranged from Kate as well as the majority of his siblings.

Collin believes the decision to send him away was rooted in preserving the television show's brand.

"I was told this is for your own good," Collin explained.

He contends that his reluctance to cooperate threatened his mother's lucrative public image.

KATE GOSSELIN FIRES BACK

Kate Gosselin has consistently denied her son's severe claims of abuse.

She continues to describe his abuse allegations as entirely unfounded.

Kate has maintained that Collin was institutionalized strictly for his own personal safety.

She insisted the placement was also necessary to protect the rest of the household.

Kate stated that medical professionals and doctors directly suggested his institutional care.

She has publicly referred to Collin as a "very troubled young man."

Their bitter disagreement highlights a total fracture within the reality television family.

EXPLOITATION AND ADVOCACY

Collin was forced to appear on reality television from the time he was just three years old until he was 11.

Now an adult, he states that he has made it his personal mission to protect other children from enduring the same fate.

During a recent appearance on Candace Cameron's podcast, Collin spoke passionately regarding the toll of child stardom.

Collin and Cameron recently crossed paths while competing together on Season 5 of Fox's Special Forces.

During their conversation, Collin strongly criticized parents who monetize their children on reality programs and social media.

"I've always said this and I will continue to say this: it is not your children's responsibility to bring income into the family and put food on the table," Collin said.

He questioned why modern parents treat their underage dependents as a primary source of revenue.

"That's the parents' responsibility. So why are you using your children as your financial safety net? …why are they your [source] of income?" Collin asked.

Collin delivered a blunt message to parents seeking internet fame or television contracts.

"Simply put, children are not your meal ticket. And parents need to understand this."

Collin emphasized that his new book is formally dedicated to adults.

He hopes adults step up to be the responsible figures who declare an end to childhood exploitation.

Collin wants to serve as an outspoken advocate for minors thrust onto television sets or used for digital clicks.

"I've made it my excuse to use my voice to change what possibly may happen to other children in this industry… I want to advocate for other kids," he explained.