Inside Teddi Mellencamp’s Thanksgiving After Affair Scandal and Divorce Drama
Thanksgiving is often a time for reflection, gratitude, and family gatherings, but for Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp, this year’s holiday was filled with emotional complexity. Amid her ongoing divorce from her husband, Edwin Arroyave, and the bombshell affair scandal involving her married horse trainer, Teddi spent the day surrounded by family, finding moments of joy despite the turmoil.
A Thanksgiving Amidst Personal Turmoil
At 43, Teddi Mellencamp’s life has been anything but simple over the past few months. With her 13-year marriage to Edwin coming to an end, Teddi has been navigating the difficult waters of a divorce, made even more complicated by the public revelation of her alleged affair with her horse trainer, Simon Schroeder. Despite the emotional weight of these personal challenges, Teddi took to Instagram to share glimpses of her Thanksgiving celebration, focusing on the positive moments she could still cherish with her family.
In a heartfelt post, Teddi shared photos that highlighted her family-centric holiday. She was surrounded by her three children—Slate (11), Cruz (10), and Dove (4)—and her extended family, including her father, the legendary musician John Mellencamp, and her sister Justice. One image showed Teddi posing with her children, looking chic in a blue button-up shirt and beige pants, a stark contrast to the emotional tension that has been hanging over her family.
Another photo captured Teddi alongside her sister Justice, both women dressed in denim, with their hair slicked back into buns. Teddi also posted a full family portrait that included her father, John Mellencamp, her siblings, and even her father’s father, Richard Mellencamp. Her father, who is known for his hit songs like “Pink Houses,” was seen holding Teddi’s youngest daughter, Dove, in front of a grand fireplace in what appeared to be the Mellencamp family’s home in Seymour, Indiana, where the holiday gathering took place.
No Edwin Arroyave in Sight
One notable absence in the holiday photos was Edwin Arroyave, Teddi’s estranged husband of 13 years. The couple has been living separately since their separation in October, and it was clear that Edwin chose to spend Thanksgiving with his family, including his eldest daughter from a previous relationship. Teddi did not shy away from showing that her family circle, though smaller this year, was still strong.
Despite the absence of her husband, Teddi made the best of her time with her children and extended family. In a sweet moment shared on Instagram Stories, she posted a video showing her children cuddled up with her in bed. She humorously captioned it, “This is a story about a mom who had to pee for over an hour, but is too scared if she moves she will wake her kids up.” The relatable, lighthearted moment was a reminder of Teddi’s ability to keep her sense of humor, even amidst the difficult situation.
Edwin’s Thanksgiving with His Family
While Teddi was posting photos with her family, Edwin shared his own Thanksgiving celebration with his followers. Edwin, who is 47, posted pictures from his family gathering without Teddi or their children. It was evident from his social media that he spent the day with his side of the family, including his eldest daughter Isabella. One photo showed him with his siblings, and in the caption, he wrote, “Thankful for my siblings.”
The difference in how the holiday was spent highlights the emotional divide between the couple, particularly given the scandal that has rocked their marriage. Edwin’s absence from Teddi’s photos also served as a stark reminder of the family separation that is taking place during a traditionally family-oriented time of year. However, Edwin seemed to stay positive, mentioning in a podcast that he was doing well and focusing on his faith to get through the divorce.
Teddi’s Emotional Journey and Accountability
In the wake of her divorce filing on November 1, Teddi has been open about the emotional toll that the past few months have taken on her. The reality star filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, marking the end of a relationship that had lasted for over a decade. Since the filing, Teddi has made an effort to be transparent about her personal journey.
On social media, she shared that she had taken accountability for her past mistakes and had apologized for her actions. Amid the affair rumors and the breakup, Teddi posted a powerful message about personal growth. She wrote, “The only person who can change your life is you. We have two options: pretend to be a victim or stand up and fight for yourself. We all deserve peace and happiness.” She went on to explain that, although she had mourned and cried over the events of the past months, she had given herself “permission to grow and thrive.”
Teddi also addressed the ongoing scandal surrounding her alleged affair with Simon Schroeder, the married horse trainer. In an interview on her podcast Two Ts in a Pod, Teddi remained measured in her response. While she didn’t confirm or deny the affair, she stressed that there were multiple sides to every story and that she was focused on putting her children first. “The kids, they’re the priority; for the time being, that’s all I’m going to discuss on this,” she said, implying that there was more to the situation than what the public had seen.
Moving Forward
As Teddi Mellencamp moves forward from her divorce and the scandal, her Thanksgiving celebration appeared to be a small, but meaningful step towards healing. Surrounded by family, Teddi was able to reflect on the things she still holds dear, despite the challenges she’s facing.
It’s clear that she is embracing her role as a mother and putting her kids first, a sentiment she expressed in her Thanksgiving post. And while the holiday was undoubtedly marked by personal turmoil, it was also an opportunity for Teddi to reflect on her own growth. In her Instagram post, she shared a childhood photo with her father, John Mellencamp, writing, “Thankful this painting is still up in my room at home,” adding, “Grateful to be here with family. Happy Thanksgiving.”
For now, Teddi’s focus remains on her children and her journey of self-discovery. While the future is uncertain, she seems committed to growing through her struggles and maintaining a sense of humor, all while navigating the fallout from a very public chapter in her personal life.
As for Edwin, his holiday spent with his family marks another moment of separation for the couple, whose relationship has been shattered by scandal. However, both seem to be taking steps toward finding peace individually, with Teddi emphasizing that her children will always come first. Only time will tell what the future holds for them, but for now, it’s clear that Teddi is finding ways to be thankful for the blessings she still has, even amidst the chaos.
Inside Teddi Mellencamp’s Thanksgiving After Affair Scandal and Divorce Drama