Erika Jayne just confirmed what fans suspected: she’s been secretly dating John McPhee for six months. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star opened up to reveal the romantic details of her new relationship. But there’s a shocking twist: he’s from a completely different world.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Dating Timeline: Erika and John have been officially dating for six months, beginning in June 2025
- How They Met: Backstage in London at the Mighty Hoopla festival after Erika saw John on friend podcasts
- John’s Background: Retired U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major who works private security for Heidi Montag
- Keeping Private: None of her Real Housewives castmates have met him yet, and he’s never seen the show
A Surprising Romance for the RHOBH Star
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After five years of being single following her separation from Tom Girardi, Erika Jayne surprised everyone by stepping out with John McPhee in July 2025. The glam pop star usually keeps her romantic life private, but she couldn’t help opening up about this special connection. During an exclusive interview with Bravo in December 2025, Erika gushed about her boyfriend, calling him “a very nice fella” and praising how everything between them is “nice and going great.”
What makes this romance so refreshing is how grounded John is. Unlike many Hollywood relationships, he doesn’t live in Los Angeles and has zero interest in reality television. “He’s a normal, regular person,” Erika stated, describing her need for someone calm and centered after her turbulent marriage.
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Their story reads like a romantic comedy. Erika spotted John on friend podcasts late at night before bed and thought he was “interesting.” Then, during the Mighty Hoopla festival in London, where Erika was performing alongside Heidi Montag, she literally walked up and introduced herself backstage. “I was like, ‘Hey, my name is Erika and I’ve seen a couple of podcasts. I’m a fan'” she recalled on her podcast about the chance encounter.
What followed was perfect timing. John was attending with his best friend Spencer Pratt, for whom he works as private security. When Erika and John first went out together, she felt immediate comfort in holding his hand. “It was really nice,” she said, describing their first manicure-pedicure date as a turning point in her romantic journey.
What Do They Do Together? A Relationship Overview
| Aspect | Details |
| First Date | Manicure-pedicure outing after meeting at London concert |
| Recent Activities | Visiting Arlington Cemetery, wreath-laying at ceremonies |
| Holiday Plans | Spending holidays together, vacationing in Panama October 2025 |
| Relationship Status | Taking things slow, keeping romance private and special |
“Everything is nice and everything is going great. We like to do all kinds of fun stuff. I need to feel comfortable. I need to feel calm. This person is calm and this person is centered.”
— Erika Jayne, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star
Why She’s Keeping Him Off the Housewives Show
Erika made a bold decision: keep John completely away from RHOBH. Not a single castmate has met him, which is intentional. “No one’s met him, and I kind of like it like that because I like him,” she explained to Us Weekly. She knows firsthand how reality TV scrutiny damages relationships, having lived through a very public and messy divorce from Tom Girardi.
The “Sheriff of Baghdad” has never watched the show and doesn’t know anything about her pop star career or reality TV fame. This unknowing quality appears to be exactly what Erika needs. He likes her for her, not for her celebrity status. It’s a far cry from her past relationships, which makes this connection feel uniquely special and protected from the typical reality television machinery.
Will This Lead to Wedding Bells or Lasting Secrecy?
At 54 years old, Erika Jayne has made peace with moving slowly in romance. She’s technically still married to Tom Girardi, though she filed for divorce in 2020. The case remains complicated due to his Alzheimer’s diagnosis and incarceration. This reality means John entered her life understanding she’s navigating complex legal and personal territory.
Despite being together for six months, Erika seems content keeping this relationship in a protective bubble. “Up for grabs” is how she described the future, suggesting she’s open to whatever comes next. For now, she’s simply enjoying quiet moments away from cameras and spotlight. After years of turbulence, Erika’s newfound peace might be the greatest love story of all.
Sources
- Bravo TV: Exclusive interview with Erika Jayne about boyfriend John McPhee relationship details December 2025
- Us Weekly: Erika Jayne reveals why RHOBH castmates haven’t met her new boyfriend John McPhee
- Reality Shrine (The Tab): How Erika Jayne and boyfriend John McPhee met at London concert and podcasts
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.