Teddi Mellencamp’s Vulnerable Reaction to Brandon Blackstock Losing His Cancer Fight

Teddi Mellencamp shared her emotional response to the recent passing of Brandon Blackstock, revealing how his melanoma experience struck a personal chord with her as she faces her own cancer diagnosis during a candid discussion on her podcast.

The “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum spoke openly about the impact of Blackstock’s passing on the August 13 episode of her “Two T’s in a Pod” podcast with Tamra Judge, and expressed both sympathy and personal reflection as someone facing a similar health challenge.

Personal Connection to a Shared Battle

Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and a talent manager, passed away on August 7 at age 48 after a three-year private battle with melanoma. His passing affected Mellencamp deeply, given she was diagnosed with the same form of skin cancer in 2022.

“The Brandon Blackstock story really hit me hard this week,” Mellencamp, 44, shared on her podcast. “I wish I had missed that little detail on the World Wide Web because then I started doing research. They were so quiet about what [happened], I mean, we know he passed from melanoma.”

Mellencamp’s melanoma has since metastasized, spreading to create tumors in her brain and lungs. Having undergone 16 surgeries since her diagnosis, including the removal of four brain tumors earlier this year, she found herself wondering about the specifics of Blackstock’s medical journey.

“I was wondering when did it metastasize, like, is this just where my head goes from being in the [same] situation?” she explained. “Did he decline treatment? There’s so many different ways this could have happened, and I one million [percent] respect their choice of keeping it private.”

The mother of three has been transparent about her own treatment regimen, which includes radiation and immunotherapy, and has previously shared that she faces a 50/50 chance of survival.

Respecting Privacy While Processing Grief

Despite her curiosity about Blackstock’s treatment approach, Mellencamp expressed her respect for the family’s decision to maintain privacy during their difficult journey. When co-host Judge suggested she might reach out to Clarkson directly, Mellencamp acknowledged that such situations require sensitivity.

“Those kind of stories hit you hard when it directly sounds similar to something you’re going through,” she noted. “Kelly made it clear when she rescheduled the end of her tour in [Las] Vegas because she needs to be there for her kids.”

Blackstock shared daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington, 9, with Clarkson, whom he was married to for seven years before their separation in 2020 and divorce finalization in 2022. He also had two older children, Savannah and Seth, from a previous relationship with ex-wife Melissa Ashworth.

Mellencamp, who shares children Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, 5, with estranged husband Edwin Arroyave, reflected on the importance of caring for children through health crises. “You want to support your children, and that’s what I think we do when it comes to illness,” she said.. “No matter what kind, mental or physical.”

The reality star has been intentionally honest with her own children about her condition. “They all know that I’m fighting the hardest I possibly can. But I haven’t said, ‘Mommies always come back’ [like I did on RHOBH] because I don’t wanna lie to them. And I don’t know,” she told Us Weekly in an April cover story.

Recently, Mellencamp shared a positive update about her health journey, posting on Instagram on July 29: “Feeling better and not taking it for granted. Which means I’m back to work after taking last week off.” She added, “Having cancer has broken my heart but has taught me so much about herself.”