A couple of weeks ago Jon and Kate announced: "During this very difficult time we will be working to focus solely on the needs of our family. This includes no longer commenting publicly or reacting to media stories and speculation."
But then the magazine covers stopped and the couple began to slip into irrelevancy, so guess who's now commenting to People on his relationship with his 22-year-old party girl Hailey Glassman?
"Hailey and I have been family friends for several years and only very recently began dating," Jon Gosselin explains. "What began as friendship has grown into something more."
He goes on:
"I genuinely enjoy spending time with her. It's nice to be with someone who I can confide in and trust and who accepts me for who I am."
Now, the TLC reality star understands that parading around the French Riviera with some new ladyfriend right after filing for divorce is kind of a douche move, but he just wants everyone to understand he's a regular guy and that's what regular guys do to move forward.
"I know that my decision to appear publicly with Hailey this weekend will be scrutinized, but I hope that people can see I'm a regular guy who is going through a very difficult time in [my] life and wants to move forward."
And as for anyone questioning his devotion to his eight, he assures People he thought of his kids every 10 minutes in between smoke breaks and challenging Ed Hardy designer Christian Audigier to a tan-off.
You know what would make this more fun? An engagement rumor!
Oddly, it's now just In Touch Weekly pushing engagement on the new couple, and Audigier and his people are also trying to make it happen.
One member of the Ed Hardy posse told People he referred to Hailey as Jon's fiancée, while Audigier proclaims, "This guy is in love. No question about it."
However, Jon denies any engagement plans to the mag, "No. We're just having a cool time and enjoying each other."
That cool time has sadly come to an end for now. Jon told photographers Hailey is staying in France while he had to come back to the States last night in order to "work" (i.e., spend time with his family for the cameras).
________
Remember when Jon and Kate used to be normal, happy people before, you know, Hollywood? Take a look back in our Reality of Jon & Kate Plus 8 gallery.