Last night in between watching my beloved Yankees try to win the World Series, I tuned into TLC’s special “Kate: Her Story,” in which Kate Gosselin, star of “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” was interviewed by NBC’s Natalie Morales.
When allegations of her husband Jon’s infidelity was initially reported in the tabloids (apparently rumors had been floating around their town for months before anything was reported in the media), part of me was disgusted that a married man with so many children could do such a thing, while at the same time, I felt it was only a matter of time before Jon would get fed up with Kate emasculating him in almost every episode.
But throughout the past few months, Jon has done nothing to fix his reputation (um, unless you want to count his recent self-denunciation meeting with Rabbi Shmuley). Not only did he jump into another relationship right away, but he’s bad mouthed Kate to the press, something you just don’t do to the mother of your (8) children.
In last night’s interview, Kate was candid about her life and feelings. She discussed growing up in a strict Christian home and admitted that her relationship with her parents isn’t very good. She acknowledged that her brother Kevin and sister-in-law Jodi–whom she was very close with at one time–have sold her out to the press for money. She also admitted that there were times she didn’t treat Jon very well.
Morales did an excellent job of trying to get at the heart of how the “wholesome reality show” rapidly turned into a “soap opera” and didn’t let Kate get off easily, questioning how she could on one hand say that she “wants peace for her kids” and that they “deserve life served to them on a silver platter,” yet puts them and herself in a position to be hounded by paparazzi and featured on tabloid covers.
Kate countered that “we did four seasons without paparazzi.”
Kate revealed that she and Jon “mutually agreed” to end things and that it stemmed from the fact that “goals very much changed–his goals changed.” But does admit that she still has feelings for him.

At that point she broke down a bit and said, “I still think the phone will ring one day and it will be the old Jon.”
When asked if she still loves Jon she said, “Yes. A part of me always will. I love the memories we have together–of the good times.”
In spite of what looks to be a nasty divorce, she is trying to avoid being negative. “I am seeking to be positive, have integrity, and speak with grace.”
Kate also spoke about her faith life. When asked if she still goes to church she responded,” We do. We haven’t been for a while though to be honest. It’s something we all did together. I’m not quite ready to take them alone. That’s the one thing that would be…I don’t know…that there’s only 9 of us.”
More on Beliefnet:
Read the Beliefnet Interview with Kate Gosselin
Your Advice for Jon and Kate