The Melyssa Ford Drama: Why She's Missing from The Joe Budden Podcast and Who's Taking Her Spot

If you’re a fan of The Joe Budden Podcast, you’ve probably noticed the elephant in the roomor rather, the missing co-host at the table. Melyssa Ford, the sharp-witted voice who brought a unique perspective since joining in 2022, has been MIA since late August.

Her absence has sparked a firestorm of speculation, shade, and straight-up drama across social media. And to add to the heat? There’s a new face in the chair Mona Love—shaking things up in a major way. So what really happened? Let’s dive into the mess.

Where’s Melyssa Ford?

Melyssa Ford—Toronto-born, no-nonsense, and often the balancing energy on JBP—has been absent throughout September 2025. Fans clocked it immediately. The last time she appeared was late August, and since then, X (formerly Twitter) has been flooded with questions:

• Where’s Mel?

• Is she coming back?

• Did Joe do her dirty again?

  
  

This didn’t come out of nowhere. Earlier in 2025, Mel jumped into a Twitter Spaces rant, where she aired out frustrations about being constantly interrupted and dismissed on the pod. She hinted at a lack of respect for her input. Clips circulated pointing to episodes where she seemed sidelined, and it was giving “boys’ club energy.”

By mid-September, blogs like HotNewHipHop were already reporting whispers that she’d been “replaced”without Joe giving fans any clear answers.

When Joe finally addressed it on a September 9 Twitter Spaces, he downplayed the drama like a politician dodging a scandal. According to him, Mel’s absence had nothing to do with the arrival of a new co-host. But fans weren’t buying it. X users like @HipHopVibe1 and @RapRadar called him out for being vague and speculated there might even be legal tension bubbling behind the scenes.

Mel herself broke her silence mid-September, posting classy but firm comments about “focusing her energy elsewhere.” Translation: she’s moving on.

Enter Mona Love: The New Co-Host

On September 20, 2025, JBP dropped Episode 862: “The Donut Shop” and officially introduced Mona Love (aka “Don’t Call Me White Girl”) as the newest co-host.

From the jump, Mona came in swinging. Fans ate it up:

• Her sharp humor?

• Her clapbacks at QueenzFlip?

• Holding her own with Parks and Marc Lamont Hill? Double

Posts from outlets like Complex and Vibe praised how seamlessly she fit the pod’s chaotic energy. Listeners raved that she’s refreshing, funny, and fearless, with some even saying she’s outshining the old guard.

Joe has been hyping Mona up too, claiming her addition wasn’t about “replacing anyone.” But let’s be real—the timing makes that claim look sus.

The Fan Divide: Team Mel vs. Team Mona

The fanbase is split like a messy breakup:

• Team Mel argues the pod has lost its balance without her voice. They miss her intelligence and composure, especially against Joe’s sometimes overbearing energy. Some even think she could be gearing up for a lawsuit over how things went down.

• Team Mona says her energy is exactly what the pod needed. She’s funny, relatable, and gives the show a “new life.” Blogs like Bossip and WorldStar highlight how her addition has fans tuning in heavy.

But it’s not just fans fueling the fire. Marc Lamont Hill has been accused of throwing subtle shade at Mel, calling out her “victim mentality.” The lack of transparency from Joe has only added to the speculation and drama.

What’s Mel Doing Now?

Mel isn’t pressed. She’s busy building her own empire. Her podcast, Hot and Bothered with Melyssa Ford, launched November 2024, is thriving. The show leans into wellness, lifestyle, and empowerment for women over 40—a clear pivot away from JBP’s testosterone-driven debates.

On social media, she’s been promoting her show, posting motivational content, and hinting at new projects. And to her credit? She’s kept it classy, never outright dragging JBP, even as fans demand answers.

What’s Next for JBP?

As of September 30, 2025, there’s still no official word on whether Mel is gone for good. But the pod is rolling full steam ahead with Mona Love, and fans are clearly vibing with her.

Still, the cloud of unanswered questions lingers:

• Why hasn’t Joe addressed Mel’s departure directly?

• Is there legal smoke behind the scenes?

• Could Mel eventually return—or is the door closed?

For now, fans are left choosing sides: Team Mel, Team Mona, or Team Messy Enough To Watch Both.

The Joe Budden Podcast has always thrived on chaos, tension, and unfiltered conversations. But this shakeup feels different—it’s personal. Melyssa Ford brought a grown-woman energy that some fans feel the pod desperately needs. Mona Love brings raw humor and street-level realness that’s giving the show a fresh edge.

The question is: which direction will Joe lean into? Only time (and the ratings) will tell.

So, what do you think? Are you Team Mel, Team Mona, or just here for the drama? Drop your thoughts in the comments, because this story is far from over.

I personally would love to see Mel BACK and MONA STAY TOO! This would be DOPE!

Sources: HotNewHipHop, Complex, Vibe, Bossip, WorldStar, X posts from @HipHopVibe1, @RapRadar, @VibeMagazine, @AllHipHop, @BET