Collin Gosselin Calls Dad's Ex, Colleen His 'Real Mom' Amid Feud With Biological Mother, 'CHOSE To'

Collin Gosselin recently announced his memoir, 'In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood', which reflects on his relationship with his parents.

Collin Gosselin has been making headlines for his memoir, In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood. The 22-year-old is the son of Jon and Kate Gosselin. He announced the memoir on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 (ET). According to reports, the memoir will talk about his childhood and his experiences from his perspective. Amid that, Collin has shared a post for his dad, Jon's ex, Colleen Conrad and referred to her as his 'real mom'.

Collin Gosselin wishes his dad, Jon Gosselin's ex, Colleen Conrad, on her birthday, calls her his real mother

Collin Gosselin shared a special message for his father, Jon Gosselin's ex, Colleen Conrad, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. He took to his Instagram handle and posted a birthday wish for her hours after announcing his memoir, In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood. For the unversed, his father, Jon, dated Colleen from 2014 to 2021. In a heartfelt text, he called Colleen his "real mom" and said she chose to be his mother through some of the toughest phases of his life. The note could be read as:

"I didn’t plan this at all, but coincidentally, on the day of the official announcement of my book, it is Colleen’s birthday. She is the strongest woman I know, who stepped in at the toughest part of my life and CHOSE to be a mother to me. Happy birthday to my wonderful, hardworking, passionate, and I could go on… to my real mom. I love you so much. Also, I had to add a Rascal Flatts song, because we always sing Rascal Flatts songs together."

For the unversed, Jon and Colleen grew up together in Pennsylvania. However, it wasn't until five years after Jon's divorce from Kate that the couple started dating. Nonetheless, their romance ended in 2021, with Jon announcing the heartbreaking news around four months after Colleen was diagnosed with breast cancer. Collin further added:

"The love you feel for a mom you were given is incredible. But the love you feel for a mom that CHOSE you is something so powerful. I am so fortunate, @colleen.conrad122 I love you so much."

When Colleen Conrad took a stand for Collin Gosselin during his rift with his biological mom, Kate

In August 2023, Colleen publicly spoke in favour of Collin after his biological mother, Kate and his sister, Mady, spoke about his alleged behavioural issues in a July 2023 statement to PEOPLE. According to reports, Kate's comments came in response to allegations made by Jon, Collin, and Collin's sister, Hannah, in an episode of Vice TV's Dark Side of the 2000s. 

What is In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood about?

Earlier, on June 17, 2026 (ET), Collin announced that his memoir would be released on October 13, 2026 (ET). The book's cover features a photo of Collin and Kate that appears to have been taken at the height of Jon & Kate Plus 8's popularity. Collin addressed his experience writing the book and shared how it made him revisit some of the hardest moments of his life. He penned:

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"Writing this book forced me to revisit some of the hardest moments of my life, but it also gave me something I've been searching for for a long time: my voice. This isn't the story people think they know. It's the story I've lived."

What is the beef between Kate and Collin Gosselin?

After Jon and Kate parted ways and divorced in 2009, Kate was awarded custody of their children. However, in 2016, she sent Collin to a behavioural health institution following what she described as "unpredictable and violent behaviour." Nonetheless, Collin left the program and moved in with Jon, who was later awarded custody of him. 

image credit: CollinGosselin/IG, ColleenConrad/IG

What are your thoughts on Collin Gosselin calling Colleen Conrad his 'real mom'?

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