If there was any question that the media misconstrued those French Riviera photos of Jon Gosselin and Hailey Glassman, there shouldn’t be now that Gosselin himself is speaking out about the relationship.

The ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8‘ star confirms he is involved with the 22-year-old daughter of the plastic surgeon who performed wife Kate’s tummy tuck.

“Hailey and I have been family friends for several years and only very recently began dating,” Jon Gosselin, 32, tells People. “What began as friendship has grown into something more.”

His new wild child (well, she is only 22!) is someone the fed-up father of eight “genuinely enjoys spending time.”

“It’s nice to be with someone who I can confide in and trust and who accepts me for who I am,” Jon goes on to say.

Well, who is she to judge? This girl has so many skeletons falling out of her closet, they are tripping over themselves.

Here’s the latest round-up of salacious stories:

~Glassman’s lesbian lover warns Jon: ‘She will destroy you.’ Yes, Glassman was in a three-year relationship with a woman named Joy Lawlor (allegedly!).

~In Touch claims Jon & Hailey are engaged.

~Us Weekly claims ‘These reports are absolutely 100 percent false.’

~A $180,000 ring was apparently purchased by Jon; but why would anyone think a black diamond skull was an engagement ring? Oh, wait…that does sound like their style.

~Glassman is a reality-show reject, who was turned down by ‘Bad Girls Club’ and MTV’s ‘Real World.’

~Glassman was arrested for drug possession in 2005. See her mugshot here.

~Jon is ‘not allowed’ to talk about his relationship with Hailey because he doesn’t want to ‘get in trouble.’

~And if you want to know how his wife feels about it, ‘I guess you’d have to ask Kate.’

~The latest firestorm erupted when Jon paraded his new girlfriend around St. Tropez last weekend.

~Is hooking up with the daughter of your wife’s plastic surgeon better or worse than cheating on her on her birthday?

~Does Kate Gosselin ‘deserve it’ because she has a harsh personality?

~Looks like Jon also broke his vow of silence.

~Jon’s eight kids don’t hate him yet.

What do you think of the new developments? Is Jon on a path of self-destruction? Or is this well-earned freedom?

More on These Topics: Jon & Kate Plus 8 | Jon Gosselin | Kate Gosselin