Teddi Mellencamp Says Kyle Richards “Lived” in the Hospital With Her, Calls Her the Friend Who Changed Everything

Teddi Mellencamp praised Kyle Richards

Teddi Mellencamp is giving rare insight into how her Real Housewives of Beverly Hills friendships evolved after cameras stopped rolling, and why Kyle Richards is now one of the most important people in her life.

Teddi Mellencamp Says Kyle Richards “Lived” in the Hospital With Her, Calls Her the Friend Who Changed Everything 3

In a new interview with Parade, Teddi reflected on how her former castmates have shown up for her in recent years, especially as she navigated serious health challenges. What surprised her most, she says, is how quickly old Housewives drama faded once real life took priority.

“Everybody has been so incredible. I joke when I walk into like BravoCon or something—I’m like, I don’t even remember who I had beef with, and if I did, they don’t have beef with me anymore,” Teddi shared with a laugh.

According to Teddi, the feuds that once defined her time on the show feel distant now. During an extended hospital stay related to her health battle, she says Kyle was one of the friends who made sure she was never alone.

“Kyle was there with me in the hospital, like rotating in and out with a couple of my other friends, living there because nobody ever wanted me to be alone.”

Teddi Mellencamp Says Kyle Richards “Lived” in the Hospital With Her, Calls Her the Friend Who Changed Everything 4

That period, Teddi explained, completely changed how she views the franchise and the relationships it created. While Housewives is often associated with chaos and conflict, she says her personal experience tells a very different story.

“So. I will forever be grateful that she’s such a great friend and, like, people say, ‘Housewives, oh it’s all about the drama and the scandal,’” Teddi said.

For her, the biggest takeaway wasn’t the fights, it was the friendships that lasted long after filming wrapped.

“But, like, I met my best friend there, and she takes abundantly good care of me, and I’m forever grateful.”

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13 comments

Steve February 5, 2026 - 7:43 pm
Hmmmm.... After the way Tamra supposedly fell apart with Teddi's diagnosis, it is interesting that Kyle is the one Teddi speaks of, not Tamra. Methinks this will not make Tamra happy. Teddi better beware.
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark February 5, 2026 - 3:03 pm
At the risk of pulling an LVP, who once criticized Kunty for what she felt was a less than genuine condolence note (that she rec'd when her brother died), I would be curious as to exactly which cast members have (and haven't) reached out to Teddi. I remember there were rumblings of Dorit being very late for the party, but I think that was cleared up. Speaking of Lisa, I have to assume Teddi hasn't heard a word from her ... not that I would blame Lisa, considering it was Teddi who dethroned her. BTW, you didn't hear Camille complaining about a heartfelt sympathy card. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8e441cfbcd6ee37e6f38cae20529d0357431b45f28db15fad7e41e89b20814d1.png
Champagne Hangover February 5, 2026 - 1:07 pm
See? Kyle is not perfect, she’s annoying as hell, whiny to a fault, spoiled and beyond an attention whore, BUT she is FAR from the diabolically evil, irredeemable witch that her haters make her out to be! Has she done/said some questionable, or even flat out wrong, sh*t? Sure, show me one human being besides Christ himself who hasn’t. ? If Kyle showed her ‘true colors’ in the limo scene with Kim or her less than admirable treatment of LVP (neither of which have spotless, scrupulously clean hands themselves btw. Yes, even St. LVP ?) then what colors is she showing here? Hmmm? ? IJS.
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark February 5, 2026 - 2:29 pm
For me, Kyle's only crime with Kim was allowing an addict to get under her skin, and what less than admirable treatment of LVP?
Champagne Hangover February 5, 2026 - 2:56 pm
When she (and others?) were less than kind after LVP’s brother’s death. Interestingly enough, the Dragon Lady ? only cites Kyle calling her a liar (that she is) in her own home as the unforgivable rift in their friendship. ? Typical narcissistic dragon sh*t ? ? BUT that, nonetheless, was pretty heartless on Kyle’s part. ? And this is coming from someone who CANNOT STAND the Dragon Lady ? but wrong is wrong, and Kyle’s hard heartedness under those circumstances was wrong (although justifiable under just about any other circumstances ? <— Like I said, CANNOT STAND.)
Champagne Hangover February 5, 2026 - 2:56 pm
When she (and others?) were less than kind after LVP’s brother’s death. Interestingly enough, the Dragon Lady ? only cites Kyle calling her a liar (that she is) in her own home as the unforgivable rift in their friendship. ? Typical narcissistic dragon sh*t ? ? BUT that, nonetheless, was pretty heartless on Kyle’s part. ? And this is coming from someone who CANNOT STAND the Dragon Lady ? but wrong is wrong, and Kyle’s hard heartedness under those circumstances was wrong (although justifiable under just about any other circumstances ? <— Like I said, CANNOT STAND.)
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark February 5, 2026 - 3:14 pm
I'm not seeing Kyle being anything less than supportive with Lisa, and while the timing was bad, I just don't subscribe to the notion that Lisa should have been given a pass because her brother died. Funny we're talking about this now (just as I'm currently midway thru Lisa's final season). It's crazy how I'm picking up things I didn't catch before. For example, that entire Puppygate storyline (and the infamous texts) always confused the crap out of me, but I'm now seeing how Ken (and Lisa?) apparently doctored all those texts between John Blizzard and Teddi.
Champagne Hangover February 5, 2026 - 4:46 pm
Ah, you may be right re: Lisa’s brother, idk ????. I do think Kyle gets as much (or more) undeserved hate as LVP gets undeserved love. And I’m not even a Kyle Stan. Far from it. I find her annoying, but I don’t think Kyle is nearly as evil as her haters insist she is. Clueless, superficial, shallow, self serving? Sure, and she brings that head cheerleader energy too, but evil? Meh, not so much imo. Now the Dragon Lady ? on the other hand…? I’m kidding, I’m kidding…sort of. ? (shhh ? not really).
Champagne Hangover February 5, 2026 - 4:46 pm
Ah, you may be right re: Lisa’s brother, idk ????. I do think Kyle gets as much (or more) undeserved hate as LVP gets undeserved love. And I’m not even a Kyle Stan. Far from it. I find her annoying, but I don’t think Kyle is nearly as evil as her haters insist she is. Clueless, superficial, shallow, self serving? Sure, and she brings that head cheerleader energy too, but evil? Meh, not so much imo. Now the Dragon Lady ? on the other hand…? I’m kidding, I’m kidding…sort of. ? (shhh ? not really).
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark February 5, 2026 - 7:19 pm
LVP is undeniably shrewd and calculating, and obviously business savvy which is often mistaken for bitchy and mean (especially with women), but I would never call her evil or cruel. I think the Reality TV business has jaded her on the entertainment industry in general, and she sees right thru all the phonies. Besides, people who love animals (like I do) can't be all bad. As I rewatch her last season, I maintain she was wise to leave when she did, because it was long overdue. I just wish she would have handled it differently.
AnEnigmaWrappedInSnark February 5, 2026 - 2:29 pm
For me, Kyle's only crime with Kim was allowing an addict to get under her skin, and what less than admirable treatment of LVP?
Zap It February 5, 2026 - 1:15 pm
Really nice article and I wish the best for Teddi. Having said that, can someone explain why Kyle latched on to Teddi? What was the draw? Hey, if true, I'm glad for Teddi. She needs all the support she can get at a terrible time like this. But judging by Kyle's behaviour to others, this seems so out of character. I just don't get what the original connection was. Just curious.
Zap It February 5, 2026 - 1:15 pm
Really nice article and I wish the best for Teddi. Having said that, can someone explain why Kyle latched on to Teddi? What was the draw? Hey, if true, I'm glad for Teddi. She needs all the support she can get at a terrible time like this. But judging by Kyle's behaviour to others, this seems so out of character. I just don't get what the original connection was. Just curious.
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