JON Gosselin has spent months plotting his proposal to his girlfriend and wants it to be an “intimate” surprise with his family involved after his “pressured” engagement to ex Kate.
The former Jon and Kate Plus Eight star, 47, has been dating partner Stephanie Lebo, 37, for more than three years and wants to make her the next Mrs Gosselin.
7
7
He caught up with The U.S. Sun at author Thea de Sousa’s launch party for The Unofficial Vanderpump Rules Ultimate Trivia Book at SUR in West Hollywood this week.
Jon DJ’d the event, powered by CellSound, and dished the details on what his engagement and wedding would look like after he was given a second chance at love.
He said, “I’m definitely popping the question; she has no clue. I have it all formulated in my mind.
“It’s funny because we’re both tricksters and like to play tricks on each other, so she’ll know when it happens.”
Read more on the Gosselins
When asked if he’d already been ring shopping, he said, “Oh yes. I’m very detail-oriented and specific about what I want, and what she wants, obviously, and it took me a while.
“I didn’t know there were so many options, and there are… because the last time I got engaged, I was like 20 years old.”
He and his ex-wife, Kate, tied the knot in 1999, and she gave birth to twins Madelyn “Mady” Kate and Cara Nicole on October 8, 2000.
She later gave birth to their sextuplets on May 10, 2004: sons Aaden Jonathan, Collin Thomas, and Joel Kevin and daughters Alexis Faith, Hannah Joy, and Leah Hope.
A more intimate wedding and a bigger reception.”
Jon Gosselin on future plans
Jon admits marriage this time will be very different for him, explaining, “I’m marrying my best friend, I’ve never had that before.
“I always thought it was pressured. It’s different after TV because I never thought I’d open up to someone and be so honest.”
He said his first proposal was very private, but this time he’d like family involved, but it’ll still be intimate and “heartwarming.”
Jon went on, “It’s definitely love. I’m getting on the airplane and texting her, buying the wifi.”
He then joked, “I would never do that I’m Korean, that never happens.”
Asked if she supports his career as he’s regularly traveling, he said, “I believe so yeah! She texted me tonight, ‘I love you, have fun.’
“I think our wedding, it’s up to her, a more intimate wedding and a bigger reception, but I don’t know I’m just going along for the ride, I’m 47.”
Thinking about a honeymoon, he added, “I just need a vacation where I don’t have to work.
“All my friends are like, ‘Oh, you’re going to LA, oh you’re going here, you’re going here’. I’m like, ‘Dude, I gotta work, like, I haven’t slept in 20 hours’.”
Jon’s children, Collin and Hannah, lived with him and remain close to their father now they have flown the nest.
He remains estranged from his six other children; Alexis, Aaden, Leah, and Joel, and older twins Mady and Cara.
He previously revealed he would love to reunite with his family and would be happy for Stephanie and his ex-wife Kate to start speaking to each other.
7
7
The former couple had been embroiled in a bitter court battle over child support payments and custody arrangements since their divorce in 2009.
It only ended in April this year after her lawsuit seeking unpaid child support was quashed.
Meanwhile, Jon is planning for the future and is happy his DJ career has taken off, as he gets paid to perform at celebrity events.
When asked if he’s banking his cash for anything in particular, he joked, “Yeah, retirement! I can’t retire in LA; I don’t make enough money.
“No, DJing is my passion, and I love it. Monetarily, I’m doing well and holding my own.
“I mean, my kids are taken care of; I’ve had an empty nest since I was 45.
“I don’t know, see what the ride is, maybe I end up back on TV or film my own thing, document my own stuff.”
He still lives with Stephanie in Pennsylvania, where he was born and raised, but would love to move in the future.
Jon said, “I’d move south. It’s more laid-back, it’s warm, and the water’s warm.
“I like the atmosphere as well. I’ve developed a lot of friendships down there.
“I like the north east because my family’s there, but I just need a place to relax. As long as I’m near an airport, I’m good to go.”
7
7