'Claim to Fame's Hud Has a Famous Dad and a Famous Reality TV Sister (EXCLUSIVE)

If there was ever a Claim to Fame cast member from Season 3 who could take home the win, it was Hud. He spent the entire season working with essentially everyone and barely getting his hands dirty in the process. Even when he worked separately with Mackenzie and Adam, he did well for himself and stayed in the game. But who is Hud related to on Claim to Fame?

We now know that, despite having a strong game, Hud didn't win Season 3. He was eliminated in the finale when Adam correctly guessed who his famous relative is. However, after Distractify spoke exclusively with Hud in a Q&A following the season, he shared how his two famous relatives helped him in the competition.

If you ever watched the early seasons of Vanderpump Rules, you might remember Hud when his sister Teddi Mellencamp asked Lisa Vanderpump to hire him at SUR. But apparently, Hud's reality TV career didn't end there with that blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance. And, while Teddi is famous in her own right thanks to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Teddi and Hud's dad, John Mellencamp, is his Claim to Fame relative.

And to be fair, there were some clues peppered in during the season to let the other players and fans know who Hud is related to. During the Telephone challenge, a couple of clues linked to Hud included the lion (or, perhaps, the cougar?) and the small town. Are those part of music lyrics, perhaps? And during the Senseless challenge, the foods that are linked to Hud were melon and chili dogs.

Following Hud's elimination in the Claim to Fame finale, he spoke exclusively with us about his experience on the show and about whether or not he and Mackenzie had a legit romance once filming ended. And in case you're wondering about the song that played during that hazy love montage in the finale, it's called The Girl Next Door by none other than Season 1 Claim to Fame runner-up Logan Crosby.

Read on for our Q&A with Hud!

(Editor's note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)

Q: What went through your mind when Adam almost had to leave the final competition, potentially leaving you and Mackenzie in a final two scenario?

A: Originally, I thought he just hurt his leg doing somersaults (again). When I figured out what had happened, I was very worried about him. Head injuries are nothing to play around with. For a while, it seemed like he wasn't going to be allowed to continue, but thankfully they cleared him and he was back in. To make it so far in a competition and be taken out by an injury is a nightmare situation. At the end of the day, I wanted him to lose, but certainly not like that.

Q: This is something we asked Mackenzie about too — what can you share about where you stand now, romantically or otherwise?

A: We are still great friends. We’ve been able to hang out a few times. After every episode comes out we call and gossip. I am thankful I got to meet her and we can still be friends even after cut-throat show shenanigans.

Q: We do see you let your guard down a couple of times with Mackenzie. How do you feel your “flirtmance” and friendship with her might have affected your game?

A: I thought Mackenzie and I made a good team. I don't know any pop culture stuff and she does. So I figured we could combine forces. In a situation where you and a household of people are all actively trying to stab each other in the back, it was nice to have someone I could take a break with.

Q: What was it like growing up with John Cougar Mellencamp as your dad?

A: At the time, it seemed normal. Since it was all I had experienced, it was all I knew. Now looking back I get to see how lucky I was. I had so many amazing experiences. I was able to go on tours with him and traveled all over the world. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I still live down the street from him and see him almost every day.

Q: Your sister, Teddi, has some experience on reality TV. Did she give you any advice about going on ‘Claim to Fame’?

A: My sister Teddi is one of my favorite people in the world. She always makes me laugh and she’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. Before I went to the filming, she told me to be uncompromising and true to myself but also to have fun. I think that’s what I did. There was one situation I got into that I had to stop and ask myself, “What would Teddi do?” So…I threw Naomi under the bus in true ‘Housewife’ fashion.

Q: You hint about a drink, “Hud Money Shot” in a conversation with Mackenzie. Tell us about Mellencamp Whiskey!

A: Mellencamp Whiskey is something my best friend and I came up with. We wanted to find something we were both passionate about, but that we could also make into a career. I had a few funny ideas, like “Mellencamp Chili Dogs,” but that was just a joke. We both knew that Mellencamp Whiskey was the one we wanted to make a reality.

Q: Could you see yourself on another reality competition show someday?

A: I had so much fun shooting Claim to Fame, so it would be really hard to beat that experience. That being said, competition is my best motivator, so I’d be open to more reality competition shows... Something I’d absolutely love to do would be to team up with Teddi on a competition show. That would be a blast.