John Mellencamp joined the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast on Wednesday, Jan. 14, where he gave an emotional update on daughter Teddi Mellencamp’s brain cancer.
While talking to podcast host Joe Rogan about whether or not their kids are still in their lives, the “Jack and Diane” rocker opened up about the harsh reality of Teddi’s condition.
John Mellencamp Saddened by Teddi’s Brain Cancer
“I do have a daughter that’s really sick,” John shared. “It’s not [expletive] fun. She’s got cancer in the brain, and she’s suffering right now.”
The singer-songwriter went on to give a look into what it was like raising the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum.
“But that kid used to call me up, and I’d go, ‘Teddi, you can have a thought without asking me if it’s, you know, figure it out yourself. You don’t have to ask me everything, you know.’ But I love having kids,” he candidly shared.
In a previous interview with US Weekly, Teddi opened up about how supportive her father has been throughout her cancer journey, saying he often tries to give her uplifting pep talks — even if she isn’t in the mood.
“But he’s like, ‘There are moments where you emotionally won’t be able to control how you’re feeling because of a certain medication or a certain whatever. And you have to give yourself some grace and know this isn’t you sometimes. And that’s OK,’” she told the outlet of John’s encouragement.
Teddi Mellencamp Stays Hopeful
Although John’s update on Teddi’s cancer was more somber than anticipated, the former “RHOBH” star shared in an October ‘25 episode of her “Two T’s in a Pod” podcast that her stage 4 brain cancer was completely “gone.”
“Just to give a little life update to you guys, I had my immunotherapy yesterday, and I did my scans, and at this point there is no detectable cancer,” she excitedly told podcast guest Dolores Catania.
While Teddi experiences the highs and lows of her cancer, she’s had the support of many, including her bestie Kyle Richards. In a birthday shoutout on her Instagram this January, Teddi expressed the immense gratitude she has for the “RHOBH” star, saying, “I probably wouldn’t be writing this if it weren’t for you.”
Teddi added, “From the moment we met on the show, there was a natural connection. But now, after everything, there’s a sisterhood that can’t be broken.”
Before Teddi’s cancer became stage 4, metastasizing to her brain and lungs, she had initially been diagnosed with melanoma in 2022. She first opened up in an Instagram post about the “debilitating” symptoms that led to her diagnosis in Feb. 2025.
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John Mellencamp Gives Emotional Update on Daughter Teddi’s Brain Cancer