Jon Gosselin accuses Kate of affair after she confirms new relationship
Ex-husband and son react on social media as Kate Gosselin says she’s dating someone she’s known for years, reviving memories of a 2009 affair accusation with longtime bodyguard Steve Neild.
Jon Gosselin and his son Collin publicly weighed in on reports that Kate Gosselin is dating Steve Neild, the longtime bodyguard whose name has been tied to a 2009 affair allegation that coincided with the end of their marriage. Kate has since confirmed she is in a new relationship, describing it as with someone she has known for a long time and saying she is “super, super happy” — but she has not disclosed the identity of the man.
Page Six published reporting that Kate was seen dating Neild, the bodyguard who accompanied the family on trips and during red-carpet moments years ago. In response, Jon posted screenshots of articles linking Kate to Neild on Instagram, writing, “Guess who really ruined the marriage.” He added, “Maybe when I speak people will listen now!!!” In a separate post, he included a photo of Neild and Kate and did not hide his frustration with how the relationship was being framed publicly. Jon and Kate Gosselin, who divorced in 2009 after years of reality-TV scrutiny, have eight children together, and the public discussion around their household has persisted for more than a decade.
Collin Gosselin, the couple’s son, joined the conversation with his own series of Instagram statements. In a lengthy post, he referenced the alleged 2009 affair and described how his mother had shared hotel rooms with Neild during family trips while he slept in a connected room. “What really upsets me is that my mom had an affair with our bodyguard way back in 2009, and for years would share hotel rooms with him while we went on family vacations, while I was in a connected room!” he wrote. He added, “Now everyone thinks her being with him is some cute novel romance.” He also pushed back against the idea that his father’s past actions defined him, saying, “By the way, my dad received death threats and got shunned by the public for years for ‘having an affair’ and ‘leaving his kids.’ I hope she doesn’t try to play this one off. Just come forward and be truthful.” In a closing line, Collin acknowledged his own limited tolerance for drama, noting that he is focused on college and a business venture, but maintained that he could not stay silent. “We won’t act reformed when we still feel pain from our past. I love you dad.”
The interplay of past and present comes as Kate, who has been setting up a new dating narrative on social media, addressed the romance directly for the first time in years. In previous remarks, she publicly defended herself against the 2009 rumors, telling People at the time that the allegations were “disgusting,” “unthinkable,” and “horrifying.” She referenced the scrutiny around her security team and their families as part of a broader defense against speculative reporting about her personal life. Kate later clarified on TikTok that she is in a relationship that has lasted more than a year, describing her partner as someone she has known for a long time and noting that he does not want to appear on social media. “It’s someone I’ve known for a really long time, and I am very, very happy,” she said, adding that viewers might catch a glimpse of him in future posts. “He doesn’t really want to be on TikToks. Can’t blame him, I guess. But you, perhaps, will catch a peep of him going forward.” She also said she would not name him publicly, saying only that he is a longtime acquaintance who prefers privacy.
The renewed focus on Kate’s dating life comes amid a long history of coverage surrounding the Gosselin family. Jon and Kate Gosselin rose to fame on the TLC reality series Jon & Kate Plus 8, which documented the couple raising their eight children. The show aired at a time when the family’s private life drew intense media attention, and the public has continued to revisit the couple’s relationship and parental dynamic in the years since their split. Kate’s recent remarks about her new relationship have further energized discussions about how the family navigates life in the public eye, including how the children understand and respond to comments about their family dynamics.
Requests for comment from representatives for Jon Gosselin or Kate Gosselin were not immediately returned by Fox News Digital. As the family continues to navigate public interest in their lives, multiple threads from past disputes and recent revelations remain in circulation across social media and entertainment coverage, illustrating how deeply the 2009 split still resonates with fans and observers.
In another image tied to the era, a 2012 photo shows Kate and Neild in public moments associated with the family’s prior appearances, underscoring how the bodyguard’s presence has long been part of the narrative surrounding the Gosselins. The family’s TLC era remains a touchstone for fans who followed their eight-child household through frequent media cycles and tabloid reports.
The current coverage reflects how Kate’s dating life has become a focal point after years of public negotiation about boundaries, privacy, and the boundaries of an on-camera family. Kate’s insistence on privacy for her partner and the decision not to publicly identify him aligns with a broader trend among celebrities and public figures seeking to shield personal relationships from daily scrutiny. Whether the renewed attention will shift the public conversation away from past scandals or deepen it remains to be seen, but it is clear that the Gosselin family story continues to evolve in the public arena.