Former Dancing with the Stars champion and The Bachelor winner Melissa Rycroft has spoken out following her recent arrest. She was taken into custody in Southlake, Texas, on September 23 for suspected DUI.
Rycroft, who competed on DWTS seasons 8 and 15 and won the All-Stars season, responded to a supporter in the comments of her latest Instagram post.
Her most recent post, shared on September 5 just weeks before the arrest became flooded with reactions from fans and critics after news of the incident broke.
One fan commented, “I made the same mistake over two years ago because of a perfect storm of bad events. Don’t ever forget that you are beautiful, loved, and blessed. Most of all, you are human. Things happen. Life happens. Be grateful it wasn’t worse and move forward with grace.” Many others agreed and praised the heartfelt message.
Rycroft responded directly to the comment, writing, “Thank you. Life really sucks right now and I’m struggling, but I’m trying to march forward… thank you for the sweet words in what seems like a world of negativity.”
Before appearing on Dancing with the Stars in 2009, Rycroft received Jason Mesnick’s final rose on The Bachelor. Their relationship ended before the finale aired, and Mesnick later reunited with his runner-up, Molly, whom he went on to marry.
After her split from Mesnick, Rycroft rekindled her relationship with former boyfriend Tye Strickland. The couple married in 2009 and share three children.
Rycroft competed on DWTS twice with professional dancer Tony Dovolani, finishing third in Season 8 and later winning the Mirrorball Trophy during the All-Stars Season 15 in 2012.