Teddi Mellencamp sued by former housekeeper amid brain tumor battle and divorce struggles

According to court documents, Julia Umana has accused Teddi Mellencamp of racial discrimination, wage theft, and creating a hostile work environment
PUBLISHED FEB 14, 2025
Teddi Mellencamp confronted the $2 million lawsuit alleging harassment and discrimination (Getty Images)
Teddi Mellencamp confronted the $2 million lawsuit alleging harassment and discrimination (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Teddi Mellencamp is facing legal trouble as her former live-in housekeeper, Julia Umana, has sued for over $2 million.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Umana has accused Mellencamp of racial discrimination, wage theft, and creating a hostile work environment.

Inside lawsuit against Teddi Mellencamp

Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave attends Us Weekly And Pluto TV's: Reality TV Stars Of The Year at The Highlight Room on October 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave attends Us Weekly And Pluto TV's: Reality TV Stars Of The Year at The Highlight Room on October 10, 2024, in Los Angeles, California (Getty Images)

Umana claims Mellencamp mocked her for speaking Spanish, accused her of theft without proof, and treated her worse than white employees.

Additionally, the former housekeeper alleges she was forced into three 12-hour shifts for just $325 and was wrongfully terminated after protesting her pay.

She also claimed that 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star "spoke to her in a nasty tone."

The lawsuit comes as Mellencamp battles serious health issues.

Teddi Mellencamp's ongoing health crisis


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave (@teddimellencamp)


 

Mellencamp’s health crisis follows years of battling skin cancer, undergoing 16 procedures since her stage II melanoma diagnosis in 2022.

On February 11, Mellencamp was hospitalized after weeks of severe headaches, leading to the discovery of multiple brain tumors.

Surgeons removed two tumors, and radiation therapy is planned for the remaining ones.

“For the last several weeks, I’ve been dealing with severe and debilitating headaches. Yesterday, the pain was unbearable and required hospitalization," the 'Two Ts In A Pod' podcaster shared.

"After a CT scan and MRI, doctors found multiple tumors on my brain, which they believe have been growing for at least 6 months," said Mellencamp.

“Two of the tumors will be surgically removed today. The remaining smaller tumors will be dealt with via radiation at a later date,” the reality TV star explained in her statement on Instagram.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave (@teddimellencamp)


 

"I am blessed to be surrounded by my children, family, friends, doctors, nurses, and surgeons who are doing everything possible to get me back into better health," said Mellencamp.

Despite their ongoing divorce, her estranged husband, Edwin Arroyave, has stayed by her side, providing updates on her recovery and thanking supporters for their well-wishes for the reality TV star.


 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Edwin Arroyave (@edwinarroyaveofficial)


 

Legal implications in Teddi Mellencamp's case

Legal experts suggest the case could hinge on the validity of Julia Umana’s wage and discrimination claims as well as any supporting evidence from surveillance footage mentioned in the filing.

Mellencamp has yet to comment on the lawsuit, as her representatives focus on her medical care.

Meanwhile, Umana seeks compensation for unpaid wages and damages for emotional distress.

Teddi Mellencamp attends KIIS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2023 presented by Capital One at The Kia Forum on December 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage,)
Teddi Mellencamp attends KIIS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2023 presented by Capital One at The Kia Forum on December 1, 2023, in Inglewood, California (Leon Bennett/WireImage)

The case is expected to unfold in court while Mellencamp continues her health battle.

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