Former “Rock of Love” contestant Kelsey Bateman has died at 39. Her passing was described as “unexpected.” The exact cause of her death hasn’t been disclosed.
Bateman appeared in the third and final season of the VH1 dating series back in 2009. At just 21 years old, she was among 22 women vying for the attention of rocker Bret Michaels.
“Rock of Love” aired from 2007 to 2009 and featured a unique twist: the contestants lived on a tour bus while traveling with Michaels. Bateman was one of the last nine women in the running to become his girlfriend, but she was eliminated in the seventh episode of that season.
During her time on the show, Bateman expressed the pressures of the competition. “I think I lay down on a speed bump, but hey, I’m here and ready for anything Brett has to say,” she shared in a confessional moment. With a hint of humor, she added, “I can’t be the only one lying drunk on a speed bump, right?”
Michaels, now 62, decided to send Bateman home because he felt she wasn’t handling the rock and roll lifestyle. He commented on her behavior during a concert, saying, “I looked around, and you weren’t there anymore, lying on the speed bump.” He expressed his belief that she needed to take a step back, saying, “You’re a great girl, but I think it’s best if you finish your tour here.”
In her follow-up confession, an emotional Bateman remarked, “Sometimes I’m drunk and lying on a speed bump. That’s just how it goes.” She resolved to take a break from dating, saying, “The next guy I meet definitely won’t be a 44-year-old rock star.”
Ultimately, Michaels chose Taya Parker as the winner of his heart in the show’s finale. However, their relationship didn’t last, and he married Christie Michaels in 2013. The couple, who first met in 1994, has two daughters together.
