Teddi Mellencamp Links Cancer to Past Affair: ‘It Was My Payback’

In an emotional new interview, Teddi Mellencamp is addressing for the first time the affair that contributed to the breakdown of her marriage, and how she’s wrestled with whether her cancer diagnosis was karmic retribution.

Teddi Mellencamp Links Cancer to Past Affair: ‘It Was My Payback’ 3

Speaking on Jamie Kern Lima’s podcast, the 44-year-old former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star reflected on a deeply personal chapter of her life: an affair with her then-married horse trainer, Simon Schroeder. The relationship, which came to light late last year, played a role in the unraveling of her marriage to Edwin Arroyave.

“I’ve never talked about it at all, just because of the kids,” Mellencamp said, her voice breaking. “And I’ve never wanted anybody to have a guarantee of whether it happened or didn’t happen, but what I can say is: Did I do things that hurt other people? Yes.”

Mellencamp, who was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in October 2022, candidly shared the guilt she’s carried, and the unsettling connection she sometimes draws between her actions and her illness.

“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 admitted, fighting back tears. “Nothing goes without payment, I guess.”

Despite her efforts to “minimize everybody’s pain,” she acknowledged that the fallout from the months-long affair only intensified once it became public. “It ended up all over the press,” she recalled. “Not only do you have yourself, you have your significant other, your kids, the other person’s significant other, their kids. I mean, so many people are hurt in the wreckage.”

She added, “The wreckage doesn’t happen on its own.”

Looking back, Mellencamp said she was at one of the lowest points in her life, emotionally and physically. “I was so broken as a human being,” she explained. “I did things out of my better judgment.”

Teddi Mellencamp Links Cancer to Past Affair: ‘It Was My Payback’ 4

Her physical health was deteriorating as well, though she didn’t realize the extent of it at the time. “I think I was so sick during that stage, ’cause remember how I told you there was months of headaches and stuff like that, I was looking for comfort anywhere I could get it,” she shared. “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.”

Mellencamp underwent more than a dozen surgeries after her melanoma diagnosis. By January 2024, she was declared cancer-free.

Just a month earlier, in November 2023, she filed for divorce from Arroyave, 48. The former couple shares three children: Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, 5. Arroyave also has a teenage daughter, Isabella, from a previous relationship.

Now co-hosting the popular podcast Two Ts in a Pod, Mellencamp is continuing to work through the aftermath — without trying to justify her actions.

“But I do think a bunch of things happened in my life all around the same time, and I had zero control of any of them,” she said. “Like, I just was running around like a chicken with my head cut off.” She admitted to bouncing from one distraction to another, simply hoping something would make her “feel better.”

Though she’s moved forward with her health and career, Mellencamp isn’t shying away from taking accountability.

“There’s no excuse,” she said. “I just hope being honest about it helps someone else who’s going through something and feeling lost.”

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36 comments

A with the Good Hair August 6, 2025 - 11:54 pm
When I have a light headache, I am bed ridden, in a dark room. I couldn't imagine penetration with an excruciating headache lol.
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark August 6, 2025 - 3:47 pm
Who the fluck is thinking about getting humped or humping someone when they're in excruciating pain? Please.
Steve August 6, 2025 - 3:08 pm
The woman had months of headaches, pain, etc. And instead of going to a Doctor, she had an affair with her horse trainer. Ye, that makes a lot of sense. Wish I had a horse trainer so I could stop seeing doctors.
Starr August 7, 2025 - 4:22 pm
Exactly Steve. This victim card she's playing with, is getting old. I feel with ANYONE with cancer or any other deadly diseases & have lost countless due to it & NONE have done what she's doing.
Starr August 7, 2025 - 4:22 pm
Exactly Steve. This victim card she's playing with, is getting old. I feel with ANYONE with cancer or any other deadly diseases & have lost countless due to it & NONE have done what she's doing.
Steve August 6, 2025 - 3:08 pm
The woman had months of headaches, pain, etc. And instead of going to a Doctor, she had an affair with her horse trainer. Ye, that makes a lot of sense. Wish I had a horse trainer so I could stop seeing doctors.
D.D. August 6, 2025 - 10:09 am
So Trump raping little girls and climbing all the way to the presidency, is that God’s blessing then ? People need to quit clinging to fairy tales. If God exists, he doesn’t give a fuck who you banged, Teddi, you’re not that important…
D.D. August 6, 2025 - 10:09 am
So Trump raping little girls and climbing all the way to the presidency, is that God’s blessing then ? People need to quit clinging to fairy tales. If God exists, he doesn’t give a fuck who you banged, Teddi, you’re not that important…
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark August 6, 2025 - 3:45 pm
Starr August 7, 2025 - 4:23 pm
God does exist & yes, he ALWAYS cares.
D.D. August 7, 2025 - 6:40 pm
Say that to the girls Trump raped
D.D. August 7, 2025 - 6:40 pm
Say that to the girls Trump raped
Starr August 8, 2025 - 5:57 pm
Nonsense! Dont you know God gives everyone a free will? apparently you dont. I feel sad for you needing to blame God instead of blaming where blame lies.
D.D. August 8, 2025 - 6:37 pm
I feel sorry for you if you believe in free will : You don’t have it. You’re conditioned not to think for yourself, trapped by fear of death and the need to find meaning. Keep defending your imaginary friend, someone you’d never have heard of if you’d been born on some undiscovered island. I don’t care.
D.D. August 8, 2025 - 6:37 pm
Comment edited: Sorry, Starr, I misjudged you ??
Starr August 9, 2025 - 6:12 pm
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Gurl, I REALLY feel SORRY for you.
D.D. August 10, 2025 - 4:07 pm
Comment edited: Sorry, Starr, I misjudged you ??
Starr August 11, 2025 - 9:58 am
Oh you're welcome. You'll always have my empathy, D.D. If you dont mind, know that you are in my prayers.
D.D. August 11, 2025 - 10:36 am
Comment edited: Sorry, Starr, I misjudged you ??
Starr August 11, 2025 - 10:51 am
How very sad that you think "my" God is imaginary. He is very much alive & I am so happy He is. I LOVE my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ & nothing & no one can ever take that from my life. D.D. I will continue to pray for you. PS. just so you know, I cannot stand the cruel, evil president we have & no red cap will ever be on this head, rather I hope one day for a halo.
D.D. August 11, 2025 - 12:03 pm
We’re on the same page on this one, I don’t believe in God, but I believe in evil, and that orange pedo is as close to the devil as it gets. Sorry for mocking your religion, I’m not against it, I just don’t share the belief and it wasn’t nice of me. Still, your prayers mean a lot to you, use them for something that really matters, not some random comment online you don’t like. But hey, you do you girl ?? Edit: I removed my past comments. Sorry for those, I actually confused you with another commenter who is a real bully and I went for the jugular. It was completely uncalled for.
Starr August 11, 2025 - 5:24 pm
Please D.D. never apologize, I understand, though I have this inner wish that everyone would know & love Jesus the way I do. I do believe in evil & the devil is very rampant, especially in the orange creep who is the devil & those he surrounds himself with are clearly as evil as he is. I do believe he has the hottest spot in hell reserved just for him & his cohorts. God bless you D.D.
Starr August 11, 2025 - 5:24 pm
Please D.D. never apologize, I understand, though I have this inner wish that everyone would know & love Jesus the way I do. I do believe in evil & the devil is very rampant, especially in the orange creep who is the devil & those he surrounds himself with are clearly as evil as he is. I do believe he has the hottest spot in hell reserved just for him & his cohorts. God bless you D.D.
Starr August 11, 2025 - 10:51 am
How very sad that you think "my" God is imaginary. He is very much alive & I am so happy He is. I LOVE my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ & nothing & no one can ever take that from my life. D.D. I will continue to pray for you. PS. just so you know, I cannot stand the cruel, evil president we have & no red cap will ever be on this head, rather I hope one day for a halo.
Starr August 11, 2025 - 9:58 am
Oh you're welcome. You'll always have my empathy, D.D. If you dont mind, know that you are in my prayers.
Starr August 8, 2025 - 5:57 pm
Nonsense! Dont you know God gives everyone a free will? apparently you dont. I feel sad for you needing to blame God instead of blaming where blame lies.
Starr August 7, 2025 - 4:23 pm
God does exist & yes, he ALWAYS cares.
ontoiran August 7, 2025 - 5:33 pm
Shuddup Stu pid!
Champagne Hangover August 6, 2025 - 9:18 am
God is merciful above all else. ???
Champagne Hangover August 6, 2025 - 9:18 am
God is merciful above all else. ???
ontoiran August 7, 2025 - 5:32 pm
Amen!
ontoiran August 7, 2025 - 5:32 pm
Amen!
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