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Erika Jayne stunned viewers this week on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills when she admitted she had recently been in an abusive relationship. Her revelation came as she comforted Denise Richards, who also accused an ex of physical violence, and abruptly shifted the tone of the reunion episode.
Erika Jayne’s on-camera confession and why it mattered
On the episode, Jayne described a relationship that began casually and later turned chaotic. She said the abuse occurred more than once and that she left after a recurring pattern of violence.
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Jayne emphasized the private toll the experience took, especially given her family ties to law enforcement. She described the shame she felt when calling 911 and then having to tell a loved one the truth.
What she told castmates
- She denied the abuse involved any of her former husbands.
- She said the incidents were recent and that she acted when the behavior repeated.
- She told friends the situation ended and that she has moved on.
Connection to Denise Richards’ story on the show
Jayne’s disclosure came while the women discussed Denise Richards’ own accusations against her ex, Aaron Phypers. Richards claimed Phypers struck her shortly after cosmetic surgery.
That moment on-screen made for a raw exchange, as the two women found common ground in experiences they had not previously discussed publicly.
Timeline of the people involved
- Denise Richards said she was struck by Aaron Phypers hours after a facelift. Phypers filed for divorce in July after six years of marriage.
- Erika Jayne said she left after repeated incidents and that the abuse stopped in time.
- Legal and personal fallout from both women’s relationships is ongoing in different ways.
Erika Jayne’s family, marriages, and current relationship
Jayne is the mother of Thomas “Tommy” Zizzo Jr., a Los Angeles Police Department sergeant. She said that reality made the decision to call for help particularly painful.
Past and present relationships
- Jayne married Thomas Zizzo in the early 1990s; they share a son.
- She later married attorney Tom Girardi in 2000. She filed for divorce in 2020, but they remain legally married.
- Jayne has been publicly linked to John “Shrek” McPhee since July 2025.
What Jayne said about the aftermath and recovery
In confessional remarks, Jayne framed the episode of abuse as a distinct chapter. She made clear it had ended and that she does not want that part of her life defining her now.
She credited timing and action for stopping the situation before it escalated further.
If you or someone you know needs help
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
