Hailey Glassman, the newest addition to The Real Housewives of New York City cast, has opened up about the devastating impact of being thrust into the spotlight due to her high-profile relationship with Jon Gosselin. In a recent episode of the Bravo series, Hailey shared her harrowing experience of being scrutinized by the public, which ultimately left an indelible mark on her life.

During the Tuesday, September 22, episode, Hailey recalled the origins of her "unconventional marriage" to husband Rubin. When discussing her history with Jon, 49, she explained, "When we got married, there was a lot going on. I was in the tabloids." Hailey revealed that she was just 22 years old when she started dating Jon, and at that point, they were still separated from his then-wife Kate, 51. However, the public wasn't aware of their separation, leading to a media frenzy surrounding their relationship.

According to Hailey, Jon was best friends with her mom before the Gosselins' reality show, Jon & Kate Plus 8, even existed. This friendship eventually turned into more, as Hailey explained: " had six kids at once and wanted a tummy tuck. So my dad did the tummy tuck and my mom recovered her at the house and stuff, and from there, they became family friends."

As the relationship between Hailey and Jon progressed, it attracted unwanted attention from the press. Hailey claimed that Jon asked her parents if he could stay with them for a while because he and Kate couldn't tell the public about their separation. This led to Hailey being photographed with Jon on her father's boat, sparking a media storm.

"I come home from college, 2009," Hailey continued. "I was 22, and at that point, they were already separated and not together. But the public didn’t know. So a friendship turned into more." She described how the tabloid headlines painted her as the "homewrecker" responsible for breaking up Jon's family.

Despite the challenges Hailey faced during this time, she insisted that she goes out with other women but clarified that she and her husband aren't polyamorous. Her unconventional marriage to Rubin may have been the result of her desire for safety and security after being battered by the media's scrutiny.

Hailey reflected on the lasting effects of the ordeal, stating, "At 22, you don’t know who you are. It’s almost like, if you could rewind your life in time and pinpoint that one moment where a piece of you died, but there was no funeral for you. That whole ordeal ruined my life." She claimed that without the tumultuous experience with Jon, her life would be vastly different today.

The real-life consequences of Hailey's association with Jon are evident in her words: "I would have never married Rubin. I would have never chosen a life based on safety and survival. I didn’t choose a life that I wanted for myself, I chose a life to be safe. I needed to protect myself and my soul." Her journey has led her to find love and stability with Rubin, but the emotional scars from her past remain.

Jon, on the other hand, went on to marry Stephanie in 2025, putting an end to his high-profile relationship drama. His history with Hailey serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of fame and the impact it can have on those involved.

The Real Housewives of New York City airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, offering viewers a glimpse into the lives of these charismatic cast members, including Hailey Glassman, as they navigate the ups and downs of reality TV fame.