ALLENTOWN, Pa. — In a booth overlooking the dance floor, Jon Gosselin exhibited a different type of VIP presence.
"It's rare to be spinning in a DJ booth that overlooks the crowd nowadays, especially in Pennsylvania," Gosselin, the former star of TV channel TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8," remarked as he pointed to his two turntables.
Those turntables are another piece of the DJ life that's seen its heyday in the digital age.
Yep, Gosselin is in a new era now.
Gone are the days of reality TV, and the pesky paparazzi who stalked him for headlines (along with his ex-wife and their eight children) during the family's stint on the TV show.
On Friday evening, a laid-back Gosselin appeared more in his element as he spun a mix of 1990s and 2000s R&B and hip-hop (his fav) at the grand opening of Americus Nights, a new nightclub/lounge.
The renovated space is on the lower level of Americus Hotel, 555 Hamilton St.
He was joined by his fiancee, Stephanie Lebo, who made the trek with her beau from their shared home near Reading.
Shiny lights, bottle service
The couple held their own party in the booth with Americus owner Albert Abdouche.
Around 9 p.m., the trio peered at an empty dance floor as Gosselin led his set with songs by Will Smith, Usher, SWV, Montell Jordan and Justin Timberlake.
By 10 p.m., people began pouring into the upscale club, which can hold up to 250 people.
Around midnight, the shiny lights from the silver disco ball — and a tad more liquid courage — summoned the crowd to the floor to dance as bartenders continued to pour drinks (a whiskey and soda costs $13, a bucket of six beers costs $30).
"Jon's from the area and a lot of people know and like him, so we decided to bring him in," Abdouche said of Gosselin, whose DJ career has taken him to clubs at hotspots in Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Charleston, South Carolina; Miami, Florida; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Lancaster and Reading.
Latin nights, rooftop bar
While Gosselin was the first DJ to spin on Friday evening, he won't be the last.
Abdouche said he has big plans for the historic hotel, which opened in 1927 — beginning with its nightlife.
On Fridays, the club will rotate a lineup of DJs and bands playing a mix of music genres and Saturday nights will feature Latin music.
There also are designs to open up a rooftop bar in the late spring or early summer.
"Most of the people when they go to hotels, it's a vacation or it's business. You can do business here, the music from the club won't bother you upstairs, but at the same time you can have fun and dance."Albert Abdouche, owner of Americus Hotel
The Americus closed in 2002 due to deteriorating conditions, but underwent extensive renovations and reopened in July 2021.
The nightclub had its own revamp, part of Abdouche's vision to make Americus a one-stop hotel where amenities are plentiful and cater to both business and pleasure seekers.
"This hotel is an experience hotel," Abdouche said. "You're not going to a box hotel with just a bed, lights and no lobby.
"Most of the people, when they go to hotels, it's a vacation or it's business. You can do business here, the music from the club won't bother you upstairs, but at the same time you can have fun and dance.
"You don't have to go outside if you don't want to, and it's safe. We have 24-hour security."
Americus Nights' cover charge is $10 and VIP bottle service starts at $80 (for Jim Beam bourbon), $120 (Grey Goose vodka) $130 (Casamigos Gold tequila) and $150 (Hennessy cognac).
New reality show?
As for Gosselin, he said he is thankful to experience another go-around in the limelight.
While nothing is signed or promised, he may even make a reality TV comeback — minus his eight-children, who all are grown now.
Instead, Gosselin hinted of hopes for a show that focuses on his other love — music.
"I would really like to showcase my DJ career with the other DJs who've supported and taught me," he said. "It's a really big community and people look out for each other."
Americus Nights is open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday (in the coming months it may be open Thursday-Sunday). Dress code is business casual.
For information on VIP service and the club, visit the Americus Hotel website.
