Teddi Mellencamp wonders if cancer was her 'payback' for alleged affair with horse trainer
During an appearance on Tuesday's episode of "The Jamie Kern Lima Show" podcast, Mellencamp — who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer earlier this year — opened up about the alleged affair she had with her horse trainer while married to her husband Edwin Arroyave.
"I've never talked about it at all, just because of the kids, and I've never wanted anybody to have a guarantee whether it happened or didn't happen, but what I can say is, did I do things that hurt other people? Yes," Mellencamp said, referring to her alleged affair with Simon Schroeder.
"To this day, does it still hurt my heart and I wonder if that's why I got cancer? Yes, like it was my payback," she said. "Nothing goes without payment."
"However long it was ... it was all over the press, it was everywhere. You're trying to minimize everybody's pain. You end up maximizing it," she continued. "Because now not only do you have yourself, you have your significant other, your kids, the other person's significant other, their kids."
"To this day, does it still hurt my heart and I wonder if that's why I got cancer? Yes, like it was my payback. Nothing goes without payment."
Mellencamp admitted "so many people" were hurt "in the wreckage."
"But I can say this from knowing — the wreckage doesn't happen on its own," she said, adding that "it never had happened to me."
"I think I was so broken as a human being during that part of my life that I did things out of my better judgment," she said, explaining that she was "so sick."
"Remember how I told you there was like months of headaches and stuff like that? I was looking for comfort anywhere I [could] get it," she continued.
"I felt so much pain. I felt so sick. I didn't go to the doctors. I just felt some certain kind of way. And the pain was so much that I had gotten to the point of like, almost hating waking up in the morning, which I had never been that kind of person," she added.
A representative for Mellencamp did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Rumors of an affair between Mellencamp and Schroeder began to unravel in November 2024, shortly after Mellencamp filed for divorce from Arroyave.
The estranged couple put a pause to their separation as Mellencamp continues her cancer treatment.
"I always knew he'd do the right thing by me," Mellencamp said during the podcast. "If he wanted to, he could still be filing and finishing this divorce off right now. But, my dad [musician John Mellencamp] and family just said like, 'I don't think this is the right thing for her to be able to try to navigate right now or figure out.' It was like, 'Yeah, of course. No, we'll wait. We'll wait until she's better, and then we'll figure it out.'"
"To this day, I don't hate Edwin," she said. "I just want him to be happy, and I want our kids to be happy, and I want us to be able to have a good friendship and relationship, and I don't want to do anything to hurt him. I kind of know how our marriage works."
Mellencamp was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer earlier this year after her melanoma metastasized in her brain and lungs. She underwent surgery to remove several masses and has been receiving immunotherapy and radiation.
The "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum has been vocal about her diagnosis and multiple subsequent treatments, using her platform to raise awareness about the deadly skin cancer.
Last month, the 44-year-old opened up about how doctors missed a crucial step in her melanoma monitoring process, despite her regular visits.
"When you go to a doctor, you just assume that's it. I'm doing what I'm supposed to do," Mellencamp told Glamour. "At first, I didn't even really do the research on melanoma because I didn't want to know all of the bad things."
"There's a difference between self-diagnosing yourself and being an advocate for your own health," she told the outlet. "I never really thought about it because I was like, I go to a doctor every three months. Why wouldn't they get me checked?"
According to Mellencamp, her highest-stage melanoma was a stage one lesion in her shoulder.
Since her previous diagnoses hadn't exceeded stage one, doctors allegedly made the call to forgo full-body scans—something Mellencamp now believes was a major misstep as they didn't catch her melanoma spreading.
"When I finally followed up on it, they were like, 'We didn't do the scans, because you didn't have anything above a stage one on your body,'" she recalled. "But look what happened."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
BBC Radio Scotland's Bryan Burnett to return to airwaves after cancer treatment
BBC Radio Scotland presenter Bryan Burnett will return to the airwaves on Thursday after undergoing cancer treatment. The broadcaster announced in June he would step back from his programme Get It On to receive care for appendix cancer. Fellow presenter Grant Stott, who stepped in during his absence, announced his return to listeners on Tuesday night. He said: 'In what must have been a terrible time for Bryan and his family and close friends, I'm just delighted I was able to help by looking after something that is very precious to Bryan; Get It On and his listeners. 'Getting to do the show over this time has shown me just how close the audience is to Bryan and vice versa. 'I know they will be delighted to get their radio teatime pal back.' Burnett said his treatment had been successful and thanked those who had wished him well throughout his recovery. Commenting on his return, he said: 'I am delighted to be returning to work following successful treatment for appendix cancer. 'Over the past few months I have been focused on my recovery and have been supported by an incredible medical team, my family and friends, and the overwhelming kindness of so many BBC Radio Scotland listeners who have reached out with encouragement and well-wishes. 'Their messages, cards and kindness have meant so much. 'My team at the BBC have also been a huge support and I want to thank Grant Stott, who has been sitting in for me and done such a great job looking after the show. 'My return to work will be gradual to ensure I maintain my health and energy. Cancer has given me a renewed perspective on what matters most and I am excited about the road ahead and grateful for the opportunity to return to doing what I'm passionate about.' Hayley Valentine, director BBC Scotland, said: 'Like the Get it On listeners, everyone at BBC Scotland is delighted to be welcoming Bryan back to the studio following what has been a tough couple of months for him. We look forward to seeing and hearing him back where he belongs.' Stott will share Get it On presenting duties with Bryan during his phased return. Burnett's first Get it On show will be Thursday 14 August 14 6pm to 8pm.
Vogue
31 minutes ago
- Vogue
From Gigi Hadid to Emily Ratajkowski, Celebs Are Obsessed With Red Sneakers
We are always on the lookout for the next biggest sneaker trend, and one that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon are the best red sneakers. We've seen many celebrities sporting kicks in varying shades of this primary color over the past few months, from cherry to scarlet and even crimson—proving these bold and bright sneakers can be worn by anyone, including minimalists, who may favor a wardrobe full of neutrals. Vogue's Favorite Red Sneakers for Women The key to nailing the red sneaker trend is finding styles with a heritage feel, either retro silhouettes pulled directly from the archive or something inspired by vintage models. Choose from standby favorites, such as Emily Ratajkowski's Puma Speedcat OGs in a fiery tone, which she has mixed and matched with everything from white sundresses to off-duty separates, or Gigi Hadid's Adidas Sambas, in the perfect shade of poppy red (these work with both tailoring and black leggings). Olivia Rodrigo has recently been spotted in classic, Nike Cortez sneakers in the brand's signature tone from the '70s, worn simply with a white tank and flared pants, while Hailey Bieber couldn't resist a deep crimson version in suede from Miu Miu, pairing them with a longljne leather jacket and jeans, a no-brainer transitional outfit, especially as we head into the cooler months. Using these effortless styling ideas, choose from our list of favorites—including more heritage essentials from Vans and Reebok, plus designer riffs from Dries Van Noten, Maison Margiela, and Prada. Below, shop the 18 best red sneakers—all sure to bring a little brightness into your wardrobe.
Vogue
31 minutes ago
- Vogue
On the Podcast: Emma Stone Is Vogue's September Cover Star! Plus: Alex Cooper's Media Empire
With Vogue's latest September cover star, Emma Stone, revealed this week, deputy editor Taylor Antrim takes over The Run-Through! First, he's first joined by Virginia Smith, global head of Vogue's fashion network, to break down everything (and everyone) that helped the issue come to life. Then, Taylor hops on the mic with Jason Gay, who wrote the issue's cover story, and Alessandra Codinha, who interviewed Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper. While Jason reflects on what it means to write a celebrity profile today— and chats about Bugonia, Stone's buzzy new film with Yorgos Lanthimos—Alessandra unpacks the tremendous popularity of Call Her Daddy… and what might be next for Cooper's empire.
