Kate Gosselin — the reality star first known for “Jon & Kate Plus 8” on TLC and later a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” — says she had a frightening run-in with a man in New Zealand who allegedly was trying to steal from a grocery store.
The mother of eight detailed the incident on social media, sharing both concern about the encounter and gratitude that she was unharmed.
Gosselin, who has maintained a public presence since rising to fame in the mid-2000s, was visiting New Zealand when the incident occurred.
All About the Scary Encounter
In a video posted TikTok on Saturday, January 17, she filmed the aftermath of the scary encounter.
“You should see all the Kiwi men running after him, trying to stop him,” she began as she had her camera pointed toward where the incident occurred.
She added, “Everybody’s on their phone to the police. It’s a big deal here, because honestly guys, there’s not much crime here.”
The 50-year-old explained to fans that she almost lost her balance as the man rushed past her.
“The guy ran past us and lost his shoe,” she continued. “He literally pushed past me, almost knocked me down in my lack of walking state.”
She also revealed that her former bodyguard turned boyfriend Steve Neild was there with her.
“I love that Steve turns right back into a cop on a moments notice ♥️,” she wrote over the video for a few seconds.
Gosselin Just Started Walking Again
What made the incident even more scary is that Gosselin has been on a healing journey since she suffered from a “life-altering” injury in September 2025.
Just days prior, Gosselin shared that she was finally able to walk without assistance.
Toward the end of the nearly 2 and a half minute video, Gosselin could be heard conversing with someone as she added how she just recently was able to walk again.
“He almost knocked me down,” Gosselin told the person off camera. “He ran past me, and I’m just now starting to walk. I had an injury, so I can just now walk, and it sent me off my feet for a second.”
Fans React
Fans expressed relief that Gosselin was physically unharmed, with many praising her level-headed response to the situation.
Comments on social platforms included sentiments such as “I’m glad you guys are okay.”
“Omg what if he had knocked you down? Awful,” one user wrote, to which she responded, “Glad I had the cart in front of me.”
Others praised her boyfriend for being there with her as he was able to help.
Gosselin’s life has been no stranger to public attention or dramatic moments.
She first became a household name on TLC as a parent struggling to balance life with eight young children — a dynamic that captivated viewers and shaped reality television in the early 2000s.
