Teddi Mellencamp is stepping into a new chapter, one that blends family joy, vulnerability, and another career milestone thanks to “The Masked Singer.”
Fresh off her reveal as Calla Lily on the Fox competition series, Mellencamp opened up to PauseRewind entertainment reporter Courtney Tezeno about keeping the secret, her health journey, and the friendships that carried her through some of her darkest moments.
Keeping her “The Masked Singer” identity under wraps turned out to be easier than expected, except when it came to her kids. “I knew the second that my kids heard my voice singing, that they would know it was me,” Mellencamp laughed. “My son when I was singing ‘Fight Song,’ he was like, ‘That’s you.’” The reveal became a full family moment, watched together with her kids, and even her dad, John Mellencamp, who happened to be in town.
The “Two T’s In a Pod” co-host said the costume itself became a source of unexpected confidence. “That mask is a part of your protection,” she explained. “The second the mask is over and you’re looking directly in people’s eyes, it’s very different.” Even so, the experience surprised her, especially how difficult it was to memorize every lyric. “All of a sudden, when you have to, you’re like, ‘Hold on, what comes next?’”
Beyond the stage, Mellencamp spoke candidly about navigating life after skin cancer treatment and brain surgeries, and realizing she was dealing with PTSD — not just exhaustion. “It had gotten to the point where I didn’t want to get up at all,” she shared. “I never was suicidal but I had gotten to the point where I felt so lonely that I knew I needed help.”
Now, she’s learning to ask for support, which is something she once resisted. “I used to take pride in the fact that I didn’t need anybody,” she admitted. “I really can’t now and it’s okay to not be okay.”
One of the people who showed up in a major way was longtime friend Kyle Richards. Mellencamp credits Richards with urging her years ago to get a “skin tag” checked, which led to early melanoma treatment. She also recalls her pal rushing to the ER when Mellencamp suddenly lost vision in one eye. “At a time that I was unable to be my own advocate, Kyle was my advocate,” she said. “She stayed with me I was never allowed to be alone.”
Reflecting on her “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” days, Mellencamp says she’d do things differently now. “I wanted to be perceived as perfect,” she said. “Going back now, I wish I could have just been myself. The good, the bad and the ugly.”
And yes, she even shared a legendary childhood lesson: getting grounded by her dad in front of Madonna and Sean Penn. “I don’t think I’ve been late since,” she joked. “I knew I was toast,” after she showed up for dinner three hours past curfew.
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