RHOBH: 10 Things To Know About Erika Jaynes Relationship With Tom Girardi
Songstress Erika Jayne came to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in season six thanks to her pal and fellow castmate Yolanda Hadid. According to Erika's book Pretty Mess, she and Hadid were out to lunch one day when Yolanda thought Erika would be perfect for the show, and the rest is history! Since then, we've seen Erika bloom into the star she was destined to be. We also had an inside look at her personal life with her husband Tom Girardi.
Tom and Erika's relationship is under mass scrutiny because of their age difference and differing career paths, but the pair have stood the test of time and have been married for over 20 years. To learn more about this famously private couple, scroll below!
10 They Met At A Restaurant
How did a performer like Erika Jayne meet and fall in love with one of the world's best lawyers? Work! When Erika first moved to the West Coast, she began working at a restaurant called Chasen's in West Hollywood.
As she stated in her memoir, Tom was a frequented visitor and decided to give him her number one night. "We were standing in front of the giant fireplace. 'Did you hear I was single?' I asked." The two began dating shortly after.
9 The Proposal Was Beautiful
Shortly after dating Tom, Erika began staying at Tom's place. She wrote that she was "temporarily" staying with him but after six months, the two were clearly loved up because Tom popped the question.
According to Fame10, Tom and Erika were on one of his many balconies when he got down on one knee. "He presented me with a beautiful diamond engagement ring. Of course I said yes,” she said. After dating for a couple of months, it's clear the two were smitten with one another and were married soon after.
8 Both Have Been Married Before
Tom Girardi wasn't Erika's first husband, nor is she his first. Erika was married to another Tom — Thomas Zizzo. The two were married for five years before getting divorced in 1996 — just a couple of months after her son's first birthday. Unlike most divorces, Erika has nothing but nice things to say about her ex. "I thought I was adult enough to be a wife and a mother, but really I wasn’t. Tommy bore the brunt of that. It was this constant pressure and it was hard for both of us to take," she said in her book Pretty Mess. Tom, on the other hand, has been married two times prior to finding lasting love with Erika.
7 Erika Is 33 Years His Junior
Tom Girardi was born in 1939, making him 33 years old than Miss Erika Jayne who was born in 1971. Their age gap has always been a topic of conversation throughout their relationship — especially once Erika got a spot on RHOBH.
"[The age gap] was always a bigger deal to everyone else than it was to either of us. All a couple really needs is to have the same life philosophy," Erika said in her book. In the most recent season of RHOBH, Garcelle brought up the couple's sex life, which Erika answered truthfully. After all, Tom Girardi is a man in his 80's these days.
6 Tom Doesn’t Wear A Wedding Ring (And She Doesn’t Care)
Erika may have been given a massive engagement ring from Tom when he proposed but what about his ring? According to Erika, even though the couple has been married for over 20 years, Tom doesn't wear a wedding band. "A wedding band does not have magical powers. It is not going to stop anyone from doing something," she wrote in Pretty Mess. Furthermore, Tom wanted it this way. "Listen, I'll buy you anything you want. I don't care what it is. You name it. But I'm not wearing a wedding band. I never have, I never will. I don't like it. It's uncomfortable. Please don't ask me to."
5 The Couple Shockingly Does Not Have A Prenup
For anyone that doesn't know, Thomas Girardi is a world-renowned lawyer. He was the first lawyer in the state of California to win a medical malpractice case worth over $1 million. In fact, it was his case that was showcased in Julia Roberts' Erin Brockovich! Even at 81 years old, Thomas is still working and has his own law firm, Girardi & Keese.
Being a big-time lawyer, one would assume he had an ironclad prenup when he married a third time but that's not the case. Erika claimed the idea of a prenup "never came up."
4 Their Marriage Revolves Around Friendship
Being married for over 20 years in Hollywood is a big deal, so what's their secret? Friendship. Although Tom and Erika weren't dating long before they married, there was mutual respect between the two that couldn't be broken.
She told Daily Dish that couples need to have common ground. "You have to like the same things. You have to see the world the same way. You have to have the same interests." Although the two have different interests, they have the same values.
3 Tom Wears The Pants In Their Relationship
In an episode of RHOBH, Tom and Erika went to dinner with Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd. It was the first time Tom was meeting Lisa, and Erka wanted all to go well. Of course, Lisa was smitten by Tom's wit and charm. In an interview, Erika said that she calls her husband "The Boss" and that's what he's labeled as in her phone. After all, he's a boss in all shapes and forms at work, the persona carries on at home.
2 They Had Similar Backgrounds Growing Up
Erika has a true rags to riches story. She had to grow up fast ever getting pregnant at 20 years old. She put her dreams at hold and even moved away from her son so she could make a name for herself to have money for her child.
Similarly, Tom also had worked hard for his money. In her book, she explained that Tom was never given anything, he worked hard for his wealth. "We both came up the hard way. And we appreciate growth."
1 Tom Is 100% Supportive of Her Alter Ego
A big-time lawyer and a pop star don't sound like the most logical couple but Erika and Tom prove the world wrong. After being married for a couple of years and living "Tom's life," Erika got bored. She missed having a creative outlet, which is why she turned to music in her mid 30s.
So what does Tom think of Erika's stage performance as Erika Jayne? “He was totally supportive,” she told People. “That’s the nice thing in this family. We all support each other for what we choose to do and for our passions.”
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