Celebrity
Teddi Mellencamp Is ‘Trying My Hardest’ After Announcing Divorce
Teddi Mellencamp didn’t shy away from discussing her divorce on her first podcast since announcing her split from husband Edwin Arroyave.
During the Tuesday, November 5, episode of her “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast with Tamra Judge, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 43, addressed her big news right away.
“I am doing alright,” she replied when Judge, 57, asked how she’s been doing. “At this point, I’m obviously only gonna share what I shared on social media. I just am trying — I don’t even know how to say this eloquently, but I’m just trying my hardest to make sure that my kids’ privacy is protected right now and that we’re able to have all of these conversations.”
Mellencamp announced her split from Arroyave, 47, on Saturday, November 2. The estranged couple, who tied the knot in 2011, share three children: Slate, Dove and Cruz. (Arroyave also welcomed daughter Isabella in a previous relationship.)
“After a great deal of care and consideration, I have made the difficult decision to file for divorce,” Mellencamp wrote via Instagram. “My priority is my children and ensuring that every care is taken with their privacy and wellbeing throughout this new chapter.”
She added, “Making a public statement is not something I wanted to do, but in an effort to protect my family from undue speculation and rumors, I felt being open, honest and vulnerable was the best path forward.”
Mellencamp reiterated on Tuesday that she publicly announced the divorce in an attempt to head off further speculation about her relationship status.
“I just didn’t want it to blow up, and for anybody that’s curious why I would have posted it, posted a statement, it’s because when your name is recognizable and you file in the court system, it becomes public,” she explained. “I know that I am gonna keep working on feeling my best so that I can show up the best for my kids and my life and my work. I think that’s the biggest thing for me right now.”
She went on to note that she often talks about other Bravo stars’ lives on her podcast, but she plans to keep discussion of the split to a minimum because of her children.
“Being somebody who recaps other people’s things, [it’s like], ‘Don’t be a hypocrite, Teddi,’” she said. “But when it does come to this and children, I think there’s just room … it’s a little bit different than getting into ‘Jen Aydin reveals text exchange with Andy Cohen.’”
Mellencamp filed for divorce on Friday, November 1. In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, she listed her and Arroyave’s date of separation as October 20 and cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.
Days after their separation, the former couple attended the Cure Melanoma Gala in New York City, where Mellencamp, who’s had 16 melanoma surgeries, served as the emcee. Arroyave gushed over his spouse after the event in an Instagram post dated October 25.
“To see @teddimellencamp embrace her pain and use it for the greater good again last night as she emceed the @curemelanoma gala, was a beautiful reminder of what she is capable of,” he wrote. “Her story has already saved lives. And I couldn’t be prouder that she will continue to save more. Love you, Teds.”