Teddi Mellencamp is back on the dating scene—and let’s just say her journey through the modern world of online dating isn’t as simple as swiping right. After filing for divorce from Edwin Arroyave nearly three months ago, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum has ventured into the world of dating apps. But what seemed like an innocent attempt to meet new people has turned into a whirlwind of surprises, missteps, and, of course, drama.
In a recent episode of Diamonds in the Rough, Teddi shared the details of her newfound dating life with co-host Erika Jayne. When Erika asked how Teddi has been spending her days since her split, Teddi revealed that she’s been staying busy—working, spending time with her kids, and yes, dating. “I’ve gone on a couple of dates,” Teddi casually dropped, much to Erika’s shock.
But this isn’t your typical post-divorce dating story. Teddi decided to give Hinge a try, an app that’s become synonymous with modern romance. What followed was a series of eye-opening experiences that prove the world of online dating isn’t always as glamorous as it seems—especially when you’re a 42-year-old mom looking for love in a sea of younger suitors.
When Teddi first joined Hinge, she had one major issue: the overwhelming number of 28-year-olds hitting her up. As she explained, “I was like, ‘This is a freaking joke. Why are only 28-year-olds reaching out to me?’” The confusion didn’t stop there—Teddi soon realized that her age preference on the app was set too low, making her an ideal match for younger men. But here’s the twist—while Teddi admitted that the 28-year-olds may be “hot,” they weren’t exactly what she was looking for.
After some tweaking to her age settings, Teddi was ready to find someone closer to her own age. But in the meantime, the influx of young guys sparked a conversation about the dating app culture, especially for women in their 40s who aren’t exactly looking for a fling with someone fresh out of college.
As if navigating age-related app challenges wasn’t enough drama, Teddi’s Hinge experience took a surprising turn when a familiar face popped up in her messages. “There was somebody who messaged me and just complimented one of the photos. I recognized his face. I was like, ‘I know him.’ So, I let it sit for a couple of days,” Teddi recalled.
Turns out, the mystery man was someone she had met back in 1999 when she first moved to Los Angeles at the age of 19. Through the magic of Hinge’s “rose” feature—a premium icon to show interest—Teddi was reconnected with this person from her past. The best part? When she messaged him, he responded, confirming that he had been wondering if she would remember him. And just like that, a blast from the past turned into a fresh opportunity to explore old connections.
This twist in the story begs the question: can rekindling a relationship from the past work? Or is it simply a way to avoid the daunting world of modern dating apps and all the drama that comes with them?
As Teddi navigates the online dating world, it’s clear that she has strong opinions about the kind of man she’s looking for—and what she definitely doesn’t want. Among her dealbreakers are “loud chewing” (seriously, who can tolerate that?) and men who wear “mandals” (men’s sandals—no, just no). She also has very specific thoughts on the type of career her future partner should have: no typical 9-to-5 jobs for her. “I don’t want somebody that’s like, ‘I’m going to the office every day and I’m there from 7 a.m. till 7 p.m.’” Teddi confessed. “I want somebody that’s their own boss, who can come and go.”
This raises an interesting point: the balance between career and relationship in the modern world. Teddi seems to be looking for someone with flexibility and independence—qualities that align with her busy lifestyle as a mom and businesswoman.
Teddi’s story shows just how complicated the world of online dating can be—especially for those trying to balance personal expectations with the realities of what’s available on dating apps. While she has yet to find her forever match, her journey has sparked a larger conversation about how dating apps shape the way people connect (or fail to connect). From age dilemmas to reconnecting with old flames, Teddi’s experience is a testament to the fact that in the world of modern romance, there’s never a dull moment.
So, the question remains: will Teddi find love with someone new, or will the drama of dating apps continue to be the source of her romantic rollercoaster? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure—her journey is anything but boring.