PREACH IT! Kate Gosselin's 'DWTS' trauma: She does it for the kids

Poor Kate Gosselin. She really wishes she didn’t have to be famous, but she must be. The mother of eight has no choice, she insists, but to endure "Dancing With the Stars," and her upcoming reality show, and the absolutely mandatory five-figure makeovers, and the book tours. But not because she craves the attention. No. Make no mistake. Every second she suffers in the spotlight -- in the makeup chair, in a lonely green room filled only with gourmet bottled water and freshly catered food -- is all for the love of the children.

“I don't see another option,” Gosselin told Meredith Vieira in what has become a familiar refrain. “I have eight kids to provide for.”

Sure, at first glance, Kate is dealing with a pretty pricey litter of rug rats. According to one analysis, it could cost her and her ex, Jon, about $300,000 to raise each of their eight children to college age -- roughly $2.4 million total. If each of the kids also attends college, that’s at least another mil. So, Jon and Kate are facing, if the pundits are to be believed, at least $3.4 million in total costs to raise their kids.

But keep on crunching the numbers, and Kate’s Mother Theresa motives start to crumble. These are ...

... the same eight kids who earned Jon and Kate a reported $22,500 per episode back when they were pimping them out under the brand name of "Jon & Kate Plus Eight." That’s $2,250 per household member, per week, not including untold thousands of dollars in free trips, food and other goodies that come with being a reality spectacle. In fact, according to Jon, the family made a total of more than $2 million after four years of filming "Jon & Kate."

And there’s more. Jon Gosselin provides a reported $20,000 per month in child support. Of course that’s far from the income the family saw in its reality heyday, but it’s still nearly a quarter-million in fresh cash per year. Kate Gosselin also has written several books -- earning her at least $1 million that she, according to her ex, managed to squirrel away.

Lastly, there’s Kate’s upcoming reality TV series, “Twist of Kate.” Given how much a basic cable network has paid for access to the Gosselins in the past, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect that the single mom will be earning five healthy figures per episode of that show.

Which leaves us with “Dancing with the Stars,” and Gosselin’s insistence that she has no other choice but to be there. Yes "DWTS" pays great -- at least $100,000 per season, if not much more -- but it’s ridiculous to believe that Gosselin absolutely must glide around with some guy in tight pants if she wants to avoid a homeless shelter. It’s sanctimonious spin aimed at credulous hausfraus, and it’s also unnecessary. If Gosselin likes being famous, she should just say so. Her dancing is horrendous, but she’d at least get points for honesty. 

-- Leslie Gornstein

Photo: Kate Gosselin presents her upcoming series "Twist of Kate."  Credit: Mary Altaffer / Associated Press

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Comments

[JustFedUp]

Those terrible common people that get thrust into the limelight should just be happy making millions. Why are people begrudging this lady for doing what is necessary to support her family. She ain't prostituting the kids or harming them in any way. She ain't a drug dealer, or a hit woman. Who are you all to judge what anyone does to support their children. Go out and find the NBA superstars that IGNORE their many offspring. What a bunch of hypocrites. She is so much more dedicated to the kids well being than OCTOMOM it is hysterical!

[Michelle Lutz]

I totally agree. On the show Jon & Kate + 8, Kate seemed to be this innocent mom - doing the best for her kids... and now her true colors are coming out on DWTS. I agree that she's a money hungry, fame driven woman, who does NOT need to do DWTS to avoid being homeless. Give me a break woman ! Her dancing is terrible and quite funny to watch. HA. nutcase.

[Lois]

Wow, WELL SAID! But you forgot all the speaking engagements and all the "love offerings" from church people over those years too. They did charge a fee around $3500, plus the "offerings" (cash only, so WHO KNOWS how much that amounts to) Now, for at least a year and half, the fee is now 25K per appearance. Don't forget slao a THIRD book which one media outlet reported she got a million dollar advance. It makes me laugh when I see the rabid supporters talking about how Kate MUST do this to put food on the table. LOL If this woman isn't well set by now, some serious mismanagement of money has occurred. Amazing how gullible some people are. You also forgot her biggest sympathy phrase "SINGLE MOM"!!!

[Cisco]

Again boo-hoo!...This talentless twit is raking in millions and we're suppose to feel sorry for her??? just because she's got 8 kids to feed. Hey Kate and Octo-mom ever heard of birth control?? You think that having all these kids wasn't going to cost you a pretty penny??? I feel more empathy for the single mothers who has 2-4 mouths to feed and 2 jobs to make ends meet than I have for these media hungry-hounds a la Sarah the moose killer Palin... when all the money is gone as well as the media attention, what will they do next...well I hear PETA is always willing to give a helping hand beyond animals...

[Paul]

It’s amazing how many people say they want this ‘train wreck’ to go away when they can’t stop talking about her. If you don’t want to see her on shows such as DWTS stop writing OP-ED pieces about her and stop talking about her around the water cooler. She is on this show and future shows BECAUSE people can’t seem to look away. The entertainment industry is very fickle. When you’re hot you’re hot and when you’re not you’re not. You can’t blame her for striking while the iron is hot. What’s she going to do when the TV gigs are over? Get a 9-5 job? We all know that’s not going to happen. So the reality is yes, she is providing for her children- now and in the FUTURE.

[Isabella]

Just read an interview with Kate Gosselin where she has brought God back into her vocab. They started out strong with God when the "reality" show first aired, then kind of dropped God and said she couldn't go to church because 8 children drew too much attention. Perhaps her "I do it all for the kids" is wearing thin so she is back to relying on God to keep those Bible thumping, child whacking fans on her side.

It is much healthier for her children when she is in LA even though she claims her kids know she all "mushy" and sweet inside in spite of how "hard and strict" she is on the outside. Hide the big wooden spoon before she gets back home!

It must be ridiculously easy to get a narcissist to believe his or her own "branding" by publicists.

[smoochie]

Only a suggestion...if life gets to rough maybe she and
Nadya can pool their resources.

Bring on the No-doze!

[susan]

There is a short window of time for Kate to earn what she can through the public's interest in her, she's striking while the iron is hot, and she probably should.

A reality show will put her WITH her kids, and there is no guarantee of how long it will run.

Jon's stream of child support is no sure thing--he's not the most stable earner, and he already jockeying to reduce or eliminate what he pays by threatening to take the kids away.

The book and the DWTS keeps her in the public eye which will help her initial ratings. Solid plan.

Especially since the book is likely headed for the deep discount table shortly after its release!

[margaret]

Excellent article. Another huge income coming her way is her second TLC new tv show: "Kate Plus 8". Yes, she is filming again this summer with her kids. And by the way, TLC announced several weeks ago, the ENTIRE family is under contract with them. Per Jon's lawyer, Mr. List, on the Nancy Grace show, TLC has been paying Kate $100,000 every month. That plus Jon's monthly support of $21,000 equals nearly a million and a half annual income. Add the 2 new tv shows, new book released this month, and DWTS income and she is a multi-millionaire...no doubt. Remember she has 2 previous best-sellers and a contract for a fourth book with Zondervan. Plus the millions from 5 seasons of the popular "Jon & Kate Plus 8" show...over 112 episodes.

Yep, if she didn't do Dancing with the Stars, she wouldn't have food on the table for her 8 kids. Please! She is literally crying on all her tv interviews trying to garner pity about how hard she has it and then laughing in private with her ever present bodyguard that the public is buying her sob story.

And it is beyond disgusting how she continues to USE her precious children. In every interview, yes every single one, she mentions her kids and how she HAS to work for them. She has written 3 books strictly about them. She has filmed them in many unflattering situations and then talked badly about them in her show. All her ugly words & actions to Jon and her children for forever caught on tape and youtube. No wonder she has no relationship with her mother, father and 4 siblings. Oh! she e-mails her mother and one sister...per Kate.

Finally, in her People magazine article, January 2010, she states her children "are in major need of counseling". And a therapist would be coming to their home starting mid-February. So what does Kate do when her kids are in emotional trouble and need her most.....she signs up for DWTS for the fame and fortune. And lies that she will practice on her home dance floor and only be gone Sunday through Tuesday. Well,she was gone 9 days in February, gone 17 days in March, and gone 12 of the 16 days in April. This is documented with photos and articles on radaronline. Someone needs to write a book and expose this fraud of a mother.

[stellar bears]

OMG, crying out loud, give Kate a break. Give her credit, she is really working and trying hard to make ends meet with 8 children. Most mothers take the easy route by staying home and letting hubby pay for it ALL or just apply for government support (what little they give). This woman is OUT THERE. She got LUCKY and is taking full advantage of every opportunities. She's not lazy, nor is she dumb. She's pretty, charming and smart. KUDOS- more power to Kate. Someday her children will repay her. They look like smart kids. It's not easy to be a full time working mother. In this LIFE, only YOU can make things happen and that is EXACTLY what Kate is doing. Our hearts go out to her. She may not be the best dancer on DWTS but you got to give her credit for trying. She's not a loser or a quitter. That in itself, is something to be proud of. You're an AMAZING mom, KATE, keep up the good work!

[Gerri]

OH, THE CHILDREN... THE HUMANITY!!! WE MUST BAND TOGETHER AND SUPPORT KATE!!!! SHE SPEAKS AND LIVES FOR US ALL. THE SACRIFICE MUST BE HEART WRENCHING!

[mama san]

thank you, thank you for printing the Truth about Kate Gosselin.

[Karen]

Thank you for writing this truthful article. So many things out of Kate Gosselin's mouth can be set straight just by watching her former show.

Kate is addicted to FAME! She and Jon are greedy grifters. Keep up the good work and expose these two for who they are.

[mama mia]

Wish your article came up on a google search on Kate Gosselin so more confused people like myself wondering who she is and why she is on every entertainment show can get the real scoop. Well done!

[Doug]

I never paid Kate Gosslin any mind until she became a contestant on "Dancing With The Stars". I thought that dreadful reality show she had with John was trashy exploitation of the worst kind. However, I've had a change of heart regarding her. I must say she is a very attractive lady and I admire her for doing the best she can for those children. Why are people picking on her? She has more gumption and determination than that deadbeat ex of hers! I have respect for her. Perhaps she is no walk in the park on the level of a relationship with a man but a caring mother she is and nobody can deny this. I wish her all the luck in the world.

[Katy]

It's beats being an obviously jealous reporter, doesn't it?