Entertainment
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion: Erika Jayne finally addresses ‘victims’ and reacts to fan demands for her removal
Erika Jayne is speaking her truth about her ongoing legal matters (Picture: YouTube/Bravo)
The first segment from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion special did not disappoint as Erika Jayne found herself firmly placed in the hot seat by host Andy Cohen and her co-stars.
Season 11 on the Bravo series documented the reality star’s surprising decision to divorce lawyer Tom Girardi and their subsequent legal woes regarding embezzlement claims.
Shortly after news of their decision to split, the former couple was accused of embezzling money ‘to fund their lavish lifestyle.’
Erika has continuously denied the claims she ’embezzled millions’ of dollars, some of which was meant to go to ‘widows and orphans who lost loved ones in the tragic crash of Lion Air Flight 610.’
Part one of the explosive four-episode reunion saw her finally address the alleged victims who accused Tom of embezzling their money in the November 2020 lawsuit.
When Andy asked what the biggest misconception people have of her is, Erika insisted: ‘That I’m cold and have no sympathy. But I’m in an almost impossible situation.
The reality star address her ex-husband ‘alleged victims’ for the first time since November 2020 (Picture: YouTube/Bravo)
‘And anyone who has been wronged, I want them to be made whole. I’m talking about the alleged victims of the alleged wrongdoings from Tom and it’s important people hear that from me.’
Andy also quizzed the 50-year-old about her decision to remain on the show despite her legal woes and asked whether her attorneys advised her to quit the hit reality show.
‘They did. And I said no because I have nothing to hide,’ Erika responded. ‘And they said, “this s**t will be twisted around and could be used against you.’
The Pretty Mess singer continued: ‘I’ve thought about it but I’m not a quitter. I didn’t want to run away from everything that’s coming at me. So I stayed.’
Erika’s estranged ex-husband Tom Girardi has been accused of embezzling millions of dollars (Picture: Bravo)
Viewers weren’t impressed as one wrote: ‘Erika can go to h*ll for that “alleged victims” comment.’
Another tweeted: ‘I’m not buying this innocent soft spoken remorseful act from Erika. She’s clearly been coached by her lawyers.’
‘Ma’am your husband stole from victims and deposited the money into your account, you can’t just wash your hands of this!’ another claimed.
As for fans demanding she should get fired from the show, Erika claimed: ‘No, why should I be fired? Why are we presuming that I’ve done something? Why aren’t we letting the legal process play out?
‘You’ve heard one side, and a lot of bulls**t is on that side. Give me a chance to defend myself. Watch me. I’m ready for the challenge, watch me do it.’
The XXPEN$IVE singer also confirmed that her reported ‘$600,000 wage’ for the show is now her primary source of income since filing for divorce in November.
‘Yeah, unfortunately, it is. You know, that is more now of a consideration,’ she said. ‘Back then, when we were shooting the show, I was literally trying to survive. So now that we’re here, yes – that has come more into consideration.’
More: US TV news
The first part of the reunion saw Erika vow to finally speak her truth about all the matters that have seen her make headlines as she explained: ‘I’m happy to do so. I’m happy to say everything that I can say. Please understand, there are some things I cannot answer. But I will do my best to give every part of the story that I can. This is the toughest part of my life.
‘And I asked for patience with the ladies – and got some and some I didn’t. I asked for an understanding that these things are complicated, that I was finding them out in real time myself, and I don’t have all the answers and still do not have all the answers to this day.’
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs on Bravo in the US, with episodes airing in the UK on hayu.
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