The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp is courageously battling metastatic melanoma that has now progressed to stage 4, with tumors detected in her brain and lungs. Initially diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in October 2022, Mellencamp underwent multiple surgeries, yet the cancer returned aggressively and silently over the next several years. In February 2025, severe headaches led to emergency surgery, revealing several brain tumors, followed by scans in March that uncovered tumors in her brain and lungs. Now, Mellencamp says she has a “50/50” chance of survival — but she believes she will live.

‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star Teddi Mellencamp says she believes she will live through cancer

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp keeps fans apprised of her cancer status. She’s been remarkably candid about the emotional and physical toll of her stage 4 metastatic melanoma, sharing experiences from debilitating headaches that led to the discovery of multiple brain tumors to revealing that her lungs are similarly affected. Mellencamp also openly discussed how treatment leaves her physically drained.

While speaking to IT Cosmetics co-founder Jamie Kern Lima, Mellencamp explained her current odds of survival.

“I would say probably 50/50,” she said. “But I truly believe when I say this, and it’s going to make me emotional — I truly believe that I’m going to live. I think that I’m going to have some rough years; I think I’m going to have some lonely years, because not many people know how to talk to somebody who has stage 4 cancer. You see in their eyes. But, I’ve been very open with my kids, and my loved ones, and my friends. Everybody kind of handles it differently.”

Mellencamp noted that she “wants the sadness to go away,” and she knows she will “live” and will continue to fight.

Teddi Mellencamp gave advice to those who know someone with stage 4 cancer

Jamie Kern Lima asked Teddi Mellencamp how others can best support someone going through cancer.

“Try not to ask a million questions of your friend if she’s feeling sick,” Mellencamp explained. “For me, I always respond best to, ‘Hey, I’m here for you. I love you. If you need anything, let me know.’ That’s just the basis of … just reaching out to somebody who’s not feeling well. That relieves the pressure of feeling like I need to respond.”

The Real Housewives star also noted that she loves receiving texts that end with “no need to reply.” Additionally, she loves having assistance organizing her medications — an aspect of her condition she never realized she might need help with.

Overall, Mellencamp noted that the experience of receiving so much support has made her a “softer person.”

“I feel like I have more love in my heart,” she said. “I feel like I have more empathy for my friends, and my kids, and my family. And I think that’s because of them, because they supported me at my worst.”

The ‘Real Housewives’ star said she holds herself accountable to ‘show up’ for herself

While in conversation with Jamie Kern Lima, Teddi Mellencamp said she’s found new hobbies — one of which is swimming.

“I’ve learned other things that I love to do that I can do,” she explained. ” … I love being in the water. I can move my body; I can get my heart rate up a little bit. … That’s one of the positives, is figuring out what I love.”

Overall, Mellencamp holds herself accountable for anything in her life that she wishes to change. This has helped her move forward and find joy in the face of her scary cancer diagnosis and uncertain future.

“I think, for so many years, I needed that accountability — maybe even to get me to where I am today,” she said.

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