Erika Jayne is sharing details about her new man, John “Shrek” McPhee, on season 15 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
The Bravo show’s January 8 episode featured the women discussing paparazzi photos of Erika, 54, and John. Costar and friend Dorit Kemsley wondered why they had to find out about the romance through pictures in the media.
“In all fairness, there wasn’t enough there to talk about,” Erika explained. “The time wasn’t right to say anything.”
During her confessional, Erika said their romance was in the “early stages.”
“I don’t know where this is going, if it’s going anywhere,” she added. “I think what I like the most about John is he’s not what you think he is at first. He’s actually quite giving and loving.”
Erika noted that’s what she’s “enjoyed the most” about dating him.
“I know what it’s like to be misunderstood and mischaracterized,” she continued. “So, I think we connect on that level.”
Erika previously told Us Weekly exclusively that none of her RHOBH costars had met John just yet.
“No one’s met him, and I kind of like it like that because I like him, and I know how bad these things are for your relationship,” she explained in December 2025. “I’ve gone through too much on this. I think I need, you know, I would like to keep that relationship special and over here if I could.”
Keep scrolling for everything Erika said about her new man during RHOBH season 15:
How They Met
Erika approached John backstage after her June 2025 show in London and introduced herself.
“I walked up to him,” she recalled. “He was on a friend of mine’s podcast. I walked by and I was like, ‘Is that who I think it is,’ and I kept walking. I walked back and was like, ‘It is.’”
During her confessional, Erika further explained that she “never” just walks up to someone, but she “really” called herself a fan of John.
“Who the f*** says that? Like, Erika says she’s a fan of someone?” she joked. “What d*** sucking s*** is this?”
Breaking Down His Career
John is “ex-Delta” Force, referring to the United States Army’s special mission unit.
Who She Told
No one knew about John before the paparazzi photos — except Kyle Richards.
“I already knew about this guy,” Kyle said in her confessional after Dorit assumed that neither of them had details on Erika’s new romance.
Explaining the Paparazzi Photos
Erika said she and John “walked around and held hands” the entire day that the photos of them were taken.
“I got a manicure and he got a pedicure,” she said. “There was no guard up.”
Continuing to See Him
The women asked if Erika planned on seeing him again and she explained that it wouldn’t be “for a while” because of their respective schedules.
“I said goodbye to him today before we got on the plane,” Erika said, explaining that she “did” feel sad leaving him. “Let’s not go crazy, ladies. It’s been a nice few dates.”
His Debut Appearance
Erika Jayne FaceTimed John ‘Shrek’ McPhee during the RHOBH season 15 finale in April 2026, answering the phone with, “Hi love,” a sentiment he returned.
She introduced him to Kyle Richards and Amanda Frances before confirming that John was her “official man friend.” Both Erika and Kyle agreed that it was “a big f***ing deal” for her to make that FaceTime call.
“I feel very safe when I am with John, in the sense that there is no pretending or trying,” Erika said in her confessional. “Everything softens and I’m allowed to soften as well.”
She noted that this is a “peaceful” relationship compared to her relationship with estranged husband, Tom Girardi.
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