Teddi Mellencamp Wonders If Cancer Was Her 'Payback' For Alleged Affair

Teddi Mellencamp continues to avoid giving a clear answer about what occurred between her and her horse trainer, Simon Schroeder.

The "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum has been embroiled in a cheating scandal for months after her divorce from Edwin Arroyave made waves in November 2024. Despite not confirming the alleged affair, her most recent confession acknowledges the pain her actions caused. 

Teddi Mellencamp's decision to accept accountability for her actions comes nine months after fans strongly criticized her for avoiding the issue. Additionally, it follows the media personality's ongoing battle with cancer, which metastasized to her brain and lungs.

Mellencamp got candid about her alleged affair with her horse trainer on an August 5 episode of "The Jamie Kern Lima Show" podcast. The segment, shared on YouTube, marked part two of her emotional confessions about her life, cancer, and divorce.

"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 about the alleged affair, adding:

"To this day, does it still hurt my heart, and I wonder if that's why it got cancer? Yes, like it was my payback."

The former Bravolebrity could not hold back her tears, noting that "nothing goes without payment" as her decision to stay quiet only worsened the situation. She did not directly confirm the affair but seemingly hinted at being guilty of betraying her then-husband's trust.

Mellencamp implied that she wasn't herself when she hurt those around her, saying, "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 added that she was "so sick" at the time and suffered from debilitating headaches. Although she stressed that she wasn't blaming her actions on her poor health, Mellencamp believed it played a significant role.

"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. Like I just was running around like a chicken with my head cut off," she explained.

Elsewhere in the episode, Mellencamp applauded her estranged husband Arroyave for putting their divorce on hold and supporting her through her cancer battle. "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," she said.

Nine months before her emotional confessions, Mellencamp faced severe backlash for not giving a clear answer about her alleged affair. The Blast covered the drama, reporting that it started after she hinted at the cheating allegations in an Instagram post.

"We all deserve peace and happiness. I have cried and mourned. I have taken accountability and apologized for things I have done wrong.. Now, I have given myself permission to grow and thrive," Mellencamp partly captioned the post. Her words did not sit right with fans who believed she was unapologetic.

Many slammed Mellencamp's post as "avoidance," stressing that she was faking her regrets while acting like a victim. Others were offended because she had no issue addressing the problems of others while refusing to be honest when it came to hers.

Mellencamp's cheating scandal occurred amid her battle with cancer. She was first diagnosed with melanoma three years ago; however, by April this year, she confirmed that the stage 4 cancer had metastasized to her brain and lungs.

She shed more light about the situation in an interview, per The Blast, telling longtime pal Kyle Richards that her blind faith in doctors led to the late discovery of the cancer spreading in her body. The medical team reportedly advised Mellencamp to reduce her scans based on the results of a previous test.

They told her she didn't need the additional scans because she had nothing above stage one. "Trust your gut instinct. There was a long time that I wasn't feeling well and didn't go to the doctor," Mellencamp said, stressing that it was too late when she finally listened to her body and got a medical checkup.

Mellencamp nearly added burglary to her list of problems amid her cancer battle after two suspects attempted to break into her Los Angeles home. The Blast reported that the TV personality and her estranged husband, Arroyave, were at home when the incident occurred.

The former couple immediately called the police after their home security system alerted them to the break-in. Unfortunately, justice was not served as the culprits had escaped before the authorities arrived. The intruders had reportedly robbed Mellencamp's neighbors before attempting to raid her house.

Mellencamp and Arroyave purchased the Encino home for nearly $6.5 million in September 2020, the same time the entertainer announced the end of her contract with Bravo. She claimed she was heartbroken that her partnership with the network wasn't extended, noting it felt "like a breakup."