Teddi Mellencamp's new lover finally named... as he gallantly steps in when cancer-hit star is tragically placed in WHEELCHAIR - suong

“I’m not ashamed of being helped,” she reportedly told a friend — but the heartbreaking airport images have shocked fans

In heartbreaking scenes captured exclusively by DailyMail+, former reality star and accountability coach Teddi Mellencamp was seen at LAX airport in a wheelchair — flanked by her young daughter Dove and a man now confirmed to be Luke Broderick, a Los Angeles-based television producer with ties to several reality TV franchises.

The 43-year-old mother of four, who has publicly battled stage II melanoma since 2022, appeared visibly fatigued but remained stoic as she clutched Dove, who was seen wiping away tears on her mother’s lap. Teddi, wearing a beige hoodie and baseball cap, made no attempt to hide the pain etched across her face — or the toll her health battle has clearly taken.

But what stunned onlookers most was the quiet, steady presence of Broderick, who was spotted pushing the wheelchair through the terminal and managing luggage, all while keeping a close eye on both mother and child. Sources close to the pair tell DailyMail+ that Teddi and Luke have been dating "privately for several months" but only recently began appearing in public together.

“This isn’t just a fling. He’s been by her side at every doctor’s appointment, every scan,” the source shared. “He even stays over when her symptoms flare up. He’s in this for real.”

While fans previously speculated that Teddi — who was last romantically linked to her estranged husband Edwin Arroyave — was leaning solely on family during her treatment, these new images suggest something much more intimate is blossoming. In a particularly emotional moment caught by photographers, Luke was seen placing a protective hand on Teddi’s back while helping her through security.

Adding to the emotional weight of the outing, insiders say Teddi was flying out for a consultation related to her ongoing melanoma treatments. “She didn’t want to cancel the trip, but she knew she couldn’t handle it alone,” the source added.

And while some critics online questioned the decision to travel in her condition, others applauded the raw honesty of the moment. “She’s showing what it looks like to keep going even when your body is failing,” wrote one fan on X. “That little girl will grow up knowing what strength looks like.”

Teddi has been unflinchingly open about her cancer diagnosis, sharing graphic surgery scars and emotional updates with followers. In a recent podcast episode, she admitted: “I’m scared all the time. But I keep fighting because I don’t get another option. My kids need me.”

Now, it seems she’s found someone else willing to fight beside her.

DailyMail+ has reached out to Teddi’s representatives for comment on the nature of her relationship with Broderick — but as of publication, no official statement has been made.

Still, actions speak louder than words — and for Teddi Mellencamp, whose life has been laid bare on both television and social media, these quiet images of love, illness, and support may be the most powerful story yet.