As parents of eight children, reality TV stars Jon and Kate Gosselin are used to chaos. But the lowdown is that in the two years since they first started filming their lives for hit show Jon & Kate Plus 8, they have been through more drama off camera than on.
Having swapped their formerly modest lifestyle for the trappings of celebrity, the couple’s marriage has been ripped apart by allegations of child exploitation and extra-marital affairs, with their union finally imploding when Kate, 34, filed for divorce on June 22.
The catalyst: an alleged affair between Jon, 32, and 23-year-old teacher Deanna Hummel. While Jon denied the fling, it was the beginning of the end for the couple.
While a tearful Kate last week appeared on US TV saying she was refusing to take off her wedding ring so as not to upset the kids, family members have claimed the pair had an open marriage and kept up appearances for the sake of the show — and their hefty $US60,000-an-episode pay cheque.
“I need this to go on because I need to provide for my kids,” Kate told People magazine of her headline-grabbing lifestyle.
Kate has also been subjected to claims of infidelity. Her close relationship with bodyguard Steve Neild has raised eyebrows — but Kate denies any impropriety.
Kate’s mothering has also been criticised. In June, she was photographed smacking sextuplet Leah, and family members have claimed that she is more interested in fame than caring for her kids.
“She doesn’t know whose toothbrush is whose or who is in pull-ups,” a family source told Us Weekly.
But, turn the camera on, “and she would jump in front of it and make sure they saw her holding the kid’s hand or something”.
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