You may have seen Erika Jayne dazzling audiences overseas with her recent stage shows, but behind the spotlight, real emotions lingered. During a recent episode of the Diamonds in the Rough podcast, hosted by Teddi Mellencamp, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star opened up about the emotional aftermath of her ex-husband Tom Girardi’s prison sentence. Erika, now 53, revealed that she received the news just moments before stepping on stage in London, a place where she typically feels most alive.
Balancing A Sold-Out Performance With Personal Pain
While performing in front of a packed audience in the UK, Erika tried to maintain her professionalism, but you could tell that something heavy was weighing on her. She described the experience of performing as “better than any sex you could ever have,” yet admitted that learning of Tom’s sentencing hit her hard. “And then 10 minutes before the second show, I get the news that Tom is being sent to prison. … It just hurts,” she shared honestly. The timing, she said, was especially painful because it tainted a moment she had worked so hard to achieve.
You could sense her disappointment as she described how the news disrupted her emotional focus. “It reopens old healing wounds,” she said, reflecting on how even a sold-out show couldn’t fully erase the weight of her past. Erika said her first show was flawless, but during the second performance, she was only 95 percent present. That lingering five percent was overwhelmed by sadness and personal reflection, and it momentarily dulled the energy she brought to the stage.
Trying To Stay Present Despite The Distraction
Even though she admitted to feeling off, Erika still managed to give her fans a great show. “I was very disappointed because those people [in the audience] were there for me,” she said. You could hear the guilt in her voice as she acknowledged how personal emotions seeped into her professional world. “I was 95 percent there, and five percent of myself was feeling sorry for myself,” she confessed. That small fraction of emotional distraction was enough to shake her slightly during a moment that should have been celebratory.
Erika pushed through, battling emotions while still giving her audience the experience they came for. “While I was happy … there’s a little piece [of me] that was like, ‘Ugh,’” she admitted. It’s a reminder that even when you’re doing what you love, life’s harder truths don’t always wait until the curtain closes. She said the audience “loved” her regardless, but she was “fighting back thoughts and emotions” throughout her time on stage.
Tom Girardi Receives Prison Sentence For Fraud
Tom Girardi, Erika’s estranged husband, was sentenced on June 3 to seven years and three months in prison. This followed a conviction in a California wire fraud case. He was also ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution to victims. The verdict confirmed that Girardi misused over $15 million, which had been entrusted to him through his law firm. His clients were individuals who had already endured tremendous hardship, and the betrayal hit especially hard.
Prosecutors detailed that Tom used funds from the law firm’s accounts for unrelated personal expenses. These included luxury travel, jewelry, private jets, and expenses for EJ Global, Erika’s business. United States Attorney Martin Estrada issued a harsh but clear statement: “Tom Girardi built celebrity status and lured in victims by falsely portraying himself as a ‘Champion of Justice.’ In reality, he was a Robin-Hood-in-reverse, stealing from the needy to support a lavish, Hollywood lifestyle.”
Their Marriage And Legal Drama Shook Erika’s Life
Erika and Tom married in 2000, and for many years, appeared to enjoy a glamorous lifestyle. In November 2020, she filed for divorce, just a month before the legal investigations into Tom’s business practices began. The accusations centered on embezzled settlement funds meant for victims of a fatal airplane crash. As the legal drama unfolded, Erika was pulled into the spotlight, accused by some of benefiting from the stolen funds.
Despite public scrutiny, Erika has consistently maintained that she had no knowledge of Tom’s actions. She was never charged with any crime, but the fallout deeply affected her reputation. In 2022, Tom was disbarred by the State of California. Then, in early 2023, he faced a five-count indictment for wire fraud, alongside his colleague Christopher Kazuo Kamon. The charges spanned a ten-year period, accusing both men of illegally obtaining millions from clients. Tom pleaded not guilty but was eventually convicted.
Erika Continues To Heal But Legal Troubles Persist
While she has never been criminally charged, Erika’s involvement in civil lawsuits hasn’t ended. She acknowledged on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills After Show in December 2024 that the past few years have been life-altering. “It’ll be four years in two weeks that I left home and everything happened,” she reflected. “In that four years, I’ve been able to accept a lot of things, heal through a lot of things, and I will continue to do that.”
You could feel her fatigue, but also her resilience. “I’m not completely out of the woods,” she admitted. “I’m still being sued in a lot of places, but those things will resolve.” She emphasized the importance of staying grounded. “It is what it is. I just try to maintain the healthiest attitude possible going forward.” Erika’s words reflect a woman who’s been deeply affected but remains determined to move forward with grace and strength.
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Via: US Weekly
