Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Teddi Mellencamp is continuing her public fight against Stage 4 melanoma while embracing changes in her appearance. On April 8, she posted a new photo on Instagram, showing herself in a long blond wig and a strapless green dress.
Around her neck, she wore a special necklace—a gift from longtime friend Shep Rose. The necklace features a fossilized megalodon shark tooth, which Rose often gives to women in his life. Mellencamp captioned the post with humor, writing, “Does this Megalodon tooth make me look like I’m dating @relationshep or trying to get on Southern Charm?”
Teddi’s appearance has changed since her brain surgery in February. Doctors had to shave her head for the procedure, so she has been sporting a buzz cut. Though fans are used to seeing her as a blonde, this is the first time they’ve seen her natural light brown hair. Many say the short cut suits her well.
She was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2022. Since then, the cancer has spread to her brain and lungs. While she says she likes her short hair, she wears wigs to cover bald patches left by surgery. In a recent selfie, she showed off her buzz cut and asked followers for wig recommendations. “The other side of my head is completely bald,” she wrote. “Dear half-wig/half-baseball caps from Amazon … let’s do better.”
Despite her ongoing health battle, Teddi announced last week that she had completed radiation treatment. She will now begin immunotherapy.
Although Mellencamp filed for divorce from her husband Edwin Arroyave in November 2024, he continues to support her. On their podcast The Eds, Edwin told co-host Eddie Judge that he remains committed to helping Teddi during her treatment. The couple shares three children—Slate, 12; Cruz, 10; and Dove, 5. Edwin also has a 16-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
“No matter what, I will always love Teddi,” Edwin said. “She’s been a big part of my life. I like taking care of people—it’s just who I am. It wasn’t even a question. How do we take care of you? How do we get you back to normal as fast as possible? That other stuff will figure itself out.”
