Bachelor alum Melissa Rycroft has admitted she is ‘struggling’ as she publicly addressed her arrest for suspicion of DWI for the first time.
Rycroft, 42, was arrested last month in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and spent eight hours in jail before her release.
Now the reality vet has candidly revealed her inner turmoil as she opened up to a fan offering her words of encouragement in light of the arrest.
An Instagram follower commented on Rycroft’s September 5 post, admitting that they too ‘made the same mistake over 2 years ago because of a perfect storm of bad life events’ – before reminding Rycroft that she is ‘human’ and and to ‘move forward with grace.’
Touched by the message, Rycroft thanked the Instagrammer for her ‘sweet words’ before laying bare just how difficult things had been for her as of late.
‘Thank you. Life really sucks right now and I’m struggling, but I’m trying to march forward…but thank you for the sweet words in what seems like a world of negativity.’
Bachelor alum Melissa Rycroft has admitted she is ‘struggling’ as she publicly addressed her arrest for suspicion of DWI for the first time; pictured during her mugshot last month
Rycroft got real about just how difficult things had been for her as of late as she responded to a fan offering her words of encouragement in light of the arrest
The reality star alum made the revelation in a September 5 post featuring herself and her 14-year-old daughter Ava Grace
The post which sparked the conversation featured Rycroft and her 14-year-old daughter Ava Grace, who was about to perform with her drill team.
‘I remember my drill team coach in HS telling us that you only have one first game, and that had always stuck with me. Tonight is Sis’ first game, so wish her luck!! And also, I’m not crying, you’re crying……’ she captioned the post.
Rycroft, who starred on the 13th season of The Bachelor, was taken into custody late last month on September 23, TMZ reported last week.
The mother-of-three was then booked into a local jail but released after eight hours.
Sources informed the outlet that Rycroft posted a $1,000 bond with a promise to appear in court.
Further details of the incident and arrest have yet to be revealed. However, her lawyer Bret Martin offered a statement to TMZ.
‘I want to remind the public of the fundamental principle of our justice system…every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty,’ Martin said.
‘We, as a society, have gotten completely away from this fundamental concept. My Client was arrested on the allegation of Driving While Intoxicated. An arrest is no indication of guilt.’
The Bachelor alum previously starred on the 13th season of the ABC reality dating series
He emphasized the importance of closely looking into ‘the circumstances of this case – including the conduct of law enforcement, the toxicology results, and the facts surrounding her arrest-before any conclusions are drawn.
‘We respectfully request that the media and the public allow the legal process to unfold, and withhold any judgment whatsoever until all of the evidence has been properly analyzed and presented in a court of law.’
Back in 2009, Rycroft made an appearance on the 13th season of The Bachelor as she competed for the final rose from bachelor Jason Mesnick.
He eventually proposed to Rycroft during the finale – but ended their relationship on live television during the After The Final Rose episode and confessed his feelings for runner-up Molly Malaney.
She competed for the final rose from bachelor Jason Mesnick, who proposed to her – before ending the romance after the show and confessing his feelings to runner-up Molly Malaney
The mother-of-three was booked into a local jail but was released after eight hours; seen in 2015 in NYC
Resnick ended up marrying Malaney in 2010 and Rycroft rekindled a romance with former beau Tye Strickland in 2009.
The pair also tied the knot and have since welcomed three children together – Ava Grace, Beckett Tomas, 11, and Cayson Jack, four.
When the 13th season of The Bachelor came to an end, Rycroft continued to make appearances on television.
The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader competed on season eight of Dancing With The Stars and came in third place.
In 2012, she competed during the show’s All-Stars season and notably came in first place with partner Tony Dovolani.
Rycroft has previously reflected on her time on The Bachelor and the public end of her engagement to Resnick at the time.
Rycroft, pictured 2006, is also a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader
In 2012, she competed during the show’s All-Stars season and notably came in first place with partner Tony Dovolani
In 2020, the mom-of-three made an appearance on The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever! for an interview with host Chris Harrison, per People.
At one point, the TV personality admitted that she had yet to watch her season of The Bachelor.
‘I’ve still never seen my season of The Bachelor. I’ve still never seen that infamous After the Final Rose. I’ve seen clips and stuff, but it’s weird.’
Rycroft added, ‘I’ll be honest, it’s just really surreal. It feels like a lifetime ago. It feels like I was a different person then, so when I see the different clips and I hear people talk, it almost makes me cringe.
‘I felt like such a little girl getting her heart broken and everybody got to see it and judge it.’
Rycroft rekindled a romance with former beau Tye Strickland in 2009. The pair also tied the knot and have since welcomed three children together
She also later gave insight into her life following The Bachelor, such as raising her three kids with husband Tye Strickland.
‘Things are great, and I can honestly say it could not have happened for me personally without The Bachelor.’
She added, ‘My husband is an old relationship, but what happened during my relationship with Jason and how it ended changed me as a person.
‘Therefore, when Tye and I were able to give the relationship another shot, I was different. If I had not gone through that, I can confidently say Tye and I would not be together today.’
