‘Bachelor’ alum Melissa Rycroft speaks out after second DWI arrest, reveals mental health struggles: ‘I need help’

See more of our coverage in your search results. “Bachelor” alum Melissa Rycroft spoke out about her mental health struggles after she was arrested for her second DWI in 13 months. “First, please know how deeply ashamed and embarrassed I am, especially knowing how much this has affected my friends and family,” she wrote on Instagram Tuesday. “I want to share something personal, and to be honest, I am very ashamed to share it, but I can’t hide it anymore,” Rycroft added. “I’ve been struggling with my mental health for quite some time now. It has completely overwhelmed me.” “Bachelor” alum Melissa Rycroft said she was struggling with her mental health after her second DWI arrest. melrystrick/Instagram Melissa Rycroft in a 2026 booking photo. Tarrant County Sheriff's Office The “Dancing With the Stars” alum said she has “tried to hide” what she’s been going through by “putting on a smile.” “But behind the scenes, things have been much harder than anyone realized or that I have let on, even to my family,” she penned. “No excuses at all, but I’m finally admitting that I need 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,” Rycroft shared. The “DWTS” alum (seen above in a car selfie) said she is now getting “professional care.” melrystrick/Instagram Melissa Rycroft Strickland appears in a mugshot provided by the Southlake Police Department after being arrested for driving while intoxicated. Getty Images The former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader said she is now getting “professional care.” “This is so hard to say and the shame is still very much there, but I’m ready to feel like myself again, for me and for my family. They have stood by me through all of this, and they deserve honesty. They deserve me at my best,” she wrote. Rycroft concluded her statement by asking her fans to give her some “grace” as she focuses on “trying to get healthy.” The former “Melissa & Tye” star, 43, was first arrested in September 2025 after crashing her Cadillac Escalade into a tree in Southlake, Texas. Melissa Rycroft arrives at the 10th anniversary party of “Dancing With The Stars” at Greystone Manor in West Hollywood, Calif., on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. FilmMagic Melissa Rycroft and Jason Mesnick attend a “The Bachelor” event in 2009. ABC In August, she pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 months of probation. Then, last week, Rycroft was arrested once again by Southlake police after she allegedly fled the scene after colliding with a stopped ambulance on Halloween night. Rycroft was charged with driving while intoxicated, an accident involving damage of more than $200 and driving with an invalid license. Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani perform on “Dancing with the Stars.” Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images The former reality star shares three kids with her husband, Tye Strickland (seen above with his wife). melrystrick/Instagram The mom of three rose to fame starring on the 13th season of “The Bachelor” in 2009. Though she accepted bachelor Jason Mesnick’s proposal, he later ended the engagement after realizing he had stronger feelings for his now-wife, runner-up Molly Malaney. Later that year, Rycroft competed on “Dancing with the Stars.” In 2012, she returned to the ABC dance competition show to win the all-star season. Rycroft and her husband, Tye Strickland, share three kids. Community Guidelines Welcome to the Page Six Community! Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas in a safe space. In order to do so, we've created a simple set of rules that will improve your experience. Simply put, keep it civil. Your post will/might be rejected if it contains: Spam Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language and threats of any kind Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author User accounts will/might be blocked if we notice: Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected Racist, sexist, or homophobic comments Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk So, how can you be a power user? Stay on topic and share your passion. Feel free to elaborate to get your point across. 'Like' or 'Dislike' when you are filled with emotions! Protect your community. Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules. Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Don't forget, freedom of speech is not the freedom of reach!