Collin Gosselin, formerly of the TLC reality series "Jon & Kate Plus 8," is set to appear in the fifth season of Fox's "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test." The announcement of his casting coincided with the reveal of his upcoming memoir, "In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood."
Gosselin, now 22, shared the news of his participation on Instagram, posting a video of the full cast. "The secret is out… I’m so excited to announce that this fall, you can watch me take on the challenges of ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test!’" he wrote in the caption. He described the experience as "special" and highlighted meeting "truly incredible people."
The new season will feature a range of celebrity recruits facing rigorous challenges designed to simulate Special Forces selection processes. The show will be set in the Malaysian jungle, with former operatives serving as directing staff. Recruits will endure harsh conditions and unpredictable terrain, undertaking tasks such as searching underground bunkers, retrieving supplies suspended high above the ground, and enduring chemical gassing.
The show's format emphasizes survival, with "no votes and no eliminations," according to a synopsis. Participants are described as learning the meaning of "no guts, no glory — and no glam."
Among Gosselin's co-stars on "Special Forces" are reality television personalities Brandi Glanville, Breana Tiesi, Alexia Umansky, and Mauricio Umansky, as well as Candace Cameron Bure, Ruby Rose, George Santos, Matt Barnes, Alycia Baumgardner, David Charvet, Oliver Hudson, LeSean McCoy, Maxim Naumov, and Hannah Stocking.
Gosselin's memoir is described as offering a "never-before-told story of how [Collin] escaped and found his way back from the dark." The book promises to detail his experience of allegedly being held down, hidden in a basement, and given antipsychotic medication as a child.
The reality star has publicly accused his mother, Kate Gosselin, of child abuse and exploitation, accusations that Kate has denied. In September 2024, Kate's lawyer stated that she acted to "protect herself and her family" from her son's "troubled behavior." Kate Gosselin herself was a participant in the first season of "Special Forces" but was eliminated early due to an injury. She has also publicly referred to Collin as "mentally ill" in response to his claims.
Collin Gosselin's mother, Kate Gosselin, also starred in the reality competition series in its premiere season.
The book cover for "In the Shadow of Eight" features a blurred image of a woman with a child whose mouth is covered by a hand. 
Collin Gosselin will be seen in a jungle setting during his appearance on "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test."
