14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier last month, Jon Gosselin, star of “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” was speaking out for the first time to squash allegations that he was willingly exploiting his children by exposing their life on camera. He was not “selling out” on his kids for a quick buck, Gosselin was saying at the time, but this is precisely what the tabloid media and the paparazzi are saying, as he tells E! Online.
Gosselin was upset by an older piece on E! that cited an unnamed source saying he was worried about TLC, the network that carries his and soon to be ex-wife Kate’s reality show, exploiting his eight children. Although gagged by several clauses in his contract and court orders, he was ready to speak up about what the network was doing to his kids by having them appear for such long periods in front of the cameras, the spy told E! as to Jon’s plans for the immediate future.
The truth is, Gosselin now says, he never made this type of allegations. On the contrary, he is completely aware that his children will now have a better future because of TLC and the show, a future that he probably could not have afforded to offer them. Talk of exploitation is ridiculous, as also is the suggestion that he might tell that to someone – who would, then, betray his confidence by spilling the beans to the media. Speaking of, it’s the media who’s really exploiting the eight Gosselin kids, Jon further points out in a statement to E!
“I’m not saying TLC is exploiting my children. But I do believe the media and tabloids covering my family and the show for their own financial gain are the ones exploiting them.” Jon Gosselin explains. “I have said on numerous occasions TLC has afforded my kids a better life and has helped provide a better roof on their heads.” he then adds, as if to make it clear beyond any doubt that he is not biting the hand that feeds him. TLC is yet to comment on the recently surfaced allegations.
Ironically enough, one might as well mention that it’s the tabloid media that helped Jon Gosselin hold on to his 15 minutes in the spotlight, minutes that have landed him several endorsement deals and perhaps even his own reality show. At the same time, celebrity bloggers note, Gosselin should not speak ill of the paparazzi, since they are his only means of communication with the outside world – for those not in the know, Jon has a solid reputation for not giving interviews, but speaking directly to the paps camped outside his home, a habit most derided in the media.