Melissa Rycroft Addresses Second DWI Arrest

Melissa Rycroft, the former Bachelor contestant and Dancing With the Stars winner, has publicly addressed her second DWI arrest in a statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday, November 3. The 43-year-old wrote that she is deeply ashamed and embarrassed, particularly given the impact on her friends and family.

"First, please know how deeply ashamed and embarrassed I am, especially knowing how much this has affected my friends and family," Rycroft wrote in the post. She added that she wanted to share something personal and that she could no longer hide it.

In the statement, Rycroft said she has been struggling with her mental health for quite some time and that it has completely overwhelmed her. She described trying to conceal her difficulties by putting on a smile while things behind the scenes were much harder than anyone realized, including for her family.

Rycroft acknowledged that her mental health struggles do not excuse the allegation of driving while intoxicated, but she stated that she has finally admitted she needs help. "I've fought this for a long time on my own, and it's time to admit that I can't do it anymore. I'm getting professional care," she wrote in the Instagram post. She said she is ready to feel like herself again for her own sake and for her family, who have stood by her and deserve honesty and her best.

The arrest occurred on November 1, approximately two months after Rycroft pleaded guilty to a 2025 DWI charge. According to records viewed by Us Weekly, the Tarrant County Corrections Center in Texas held Rycroft on three charges issued earlier that day: driving while intoxicated, driving with an invalid license, and a collision involving damage to a vehicle under $200.

Rycroft first rose to prominence as a contestant on season 13 of The Bachelor in 2009, where she became engaged to Jason Mesnick. Shortly after the on-air proposal, Mesnick, 50, ended the relationship, explaining that he had true feelings for runner-up Molly Malaney. Mesnick and Malaney later married in 2010. Rycroft married Tye Strickland, and the couple share three children.

For individuals or families facing similar struggles, confidential support is available around the clock. Those in crisis can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by visiting 988lifeline.org to chat online.