‘RHOBH’: Andy Cohen Opens up About Erika Jayne’s Divorce
Fans of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are eagerly anticipating the Season 11 premiere. One major storyline of the season will focus on Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi’s divorce.
The two are splitting after over two decades together and in the midst of several lawsuits against Girardi. Bravo honcho Andy Cohen says everything that plays out over the course of the season is shocking.
Erika Jayne files for divorce amid husband’s legal issues
In December 2020, People Magazine reported that the Chicago Broadway star and Girardi were splitting. The announcement came just ahead of the couple’s 21-year wedding anniversary.
“After much consideration, I have decided to end my marriage to Tom Girardi,” Jayne said. “This is not a step taken lightly or easily. I have great love and respect for Tom and for our years and the lives we built together. It is my absolute wish to proceed through this process with respect and with the privacy that both Tom and I deserved,” she added. “I request others give us that privacy as well.”
Jayne’s decision to end the marriage comes amid Girardi’s own legal woes. He’s accused of money embezzlement, allegedly stealing money from several families who lost their loved ones in a Boeing plane crash. According to the complaint, Jayne and Giardi allegedly used the funds intended to help the families of the deceased victims.
The couple do not have any children together but Jayne did not sign a prenuptial agreement. She previously joked that in spite of such, Girardi would make it difficult for her to reap any financial benefits due to him being an attorney. Girardi is requesting that he does not have to pay Jayne spousal support.
Andy Cohen says Tom Girardi may not have any money in divorce proceedings
Cohen visited The Wendy Williams Show and gave his take on Jayne and Girardi’s split. For Cohen, viewers of the show will see things play out in real-time.
“She is [divorcing] among other things,” Cohen said. “She’s got a lot going on. Now, that all happened on our watch while we were shooting Beverly Hills. You see the entire thing unfold.”
Reports allege that Jayne is the most vulnerable and open this upcoming season, which Cohen corroborates. “Did you see the trailer of Beverly Hills? It’s really good. It’s a great series.”
Related: ‘RHOBH’: Could Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi’s Legal Woes Get Even Messier?
When Williams mentions that Jayne is allegedly not in Girardi’s will and that he refuses to pay her any money, Cohen reminds Williams of the legal cases mounting against Girardi. “There may not be any money. I mean, we don’t know,” he says. “There’s a lot of lawsuits there. It’s shocking what’s happening with him. And pretty surprising.”
Still, Jayne isn’t divorcing Girardi without a fight. She requested a judge block Giardi’s request that she doesn’t collect spousal support. She’s also asking that Girardi cover her attorney’s fees and legal costs.
Girardi was recently diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. His brother Robert was granted a temporary conservatorship. Girardi was stripped of his license to practice law through the California State Bar.
