The 74-year-old rocker said he has never encouraged his children to get jobs, telling them they should focus on doing what makes them happy instead of working a 9-to-5 job.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m the only father in the world that does not encourage their kids to work,” Mellencamp joked during a recent appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience.”<\/a> “It\u2019s like, what do you want to go to work for?”<\/p>\n The “Jack & Diane” singer is the father of five children: daughter Michelle, 55, whom he shares with ex-wife Priscilla Esterline; daughters Teddi, 44, and Justice, 40, with ex-wife Victoria Granucci.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mellencamp also has sons Hud, 31, and Speck, 30, with wife Elaine Irwin.<\/p>\n TEDDI MELLENCAMP WONDERS IF CANCER WAS HER ‘PAYBACK’ FOR ALLEGED AFFAIR WITH HORSE TRAINER<\/a><\/p>\n John Mellencamp shares the surprising reason he tells his kids not to get jobs. (Timothy Norris\/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)<\/p>\n Despite his blunt suggestion, Mellencamp said his kids haven\u2019t exactly followed his advice.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s just like, f— that work stuff. Do what you want to do. You\u2019re 31 years old. You\u2019re handsome. You\u2019re 31 years old, you could beat anybody up in the room,” he said. “But I think he\u2019s getting to the age where he wants to get a job.”<\/p>\n Mellencamp admitted he has mixed feelings about his son potentially wanting to work, especially since Hud still lives near his father.<\/p>\n JOHN MELLENCAMP RIPS MODERN POLITICIANS FOR LACKING HUMILITY AND RESPECT<\/a><\/p>\n “And I don\u2019t want him to leave because he still lives on my property. And it\u2019s nice. I love having him there,” he said.<\/p>\n Singer\/Songwriter John Mellencamp and son, Hud Mellencamp, backstage on Oct. 12, 1996. (Rick Diamond\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n Mellencamp added that having his adult children close by is something he values more than independence or career milestones.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s nice to be able to pick up the phone and have one of your kids come over quickly,” he added.<\/p>\n The rock legend has spoken openly in the past about family, health and staying connected to his children as he gets older.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n John Mellencamp champions happiness over careers for his five children, including Teddi Mellencamp. (Kevin Mazur\/Getty Images for JM)<\/p>\n Mellencamp previously opened up about his daughter Teddi and her ongoing cancer battle<\/a>.<\/p>\n He urged the former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”<\/a> star to move back to Indiana so he can be closer to her as she undergoes treatment.<\/p>\n LIKE WHAT YOU\u2019RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n “I have tried to talk her into moving back home,” Mellencamp said on “Today,”<\/a> earlier this week.<\/p>\n John Mellencamp says he never encouraged his kids to work. (Gary Miller\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “I said, \u2018Move back to Indiana, bring the kids and just come back and live in Indiana,\u2019 but she won\u2019t do it,” he added.<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/john-mellencamp.jpg\")
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