Kelsey Bateman, who appeared on VH1’s Rock of Love with Bret Michaels, has died at the age of 39. Her family confirmed the news, though the cause of death has not yet been released.
Bateman first caught public attention in 2009 when she joined the show’s third and final season, Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels. At just 21, she was one of 23 women competing for the Poison frontman’s affection while living on tour buses that followed his concerts across the country.
She made it to the final nine contestants before being sent home in episode seven, which featured one of the season’s most memorable exits. That night, Bateman arrived at elimination visibly drunk, later admitting in a confessional, “I ended up laying on a speed bump balling my eyes out but you know what? I’m here and I’m ready for whatever Bret has to say to me.”
Michaels addressed her behavior directly, telling her, “At some point I looked over during the concert and you were no longer there. And at some point you were laying on a speed bump saying you couldn’t handle this any longer… sometimes I have to make decisions for people, and my decision for you is that I’m going to let your tour end here.”
After her elimination, Bateman laughed off the moment in classic reality TV fashion. “Apparently Bret just can’t handle a girl that likes to get drunk and lay on speed bumps… I’m going to go home and be single… the next guy I find definitely won’t be 44 and probably not a rock star.”
Her family told TMZ she “passed away unexpectedly recently.” Authorities have been contacted for more details.
