Erika Jayne, star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, appears to have found a new connection in her personal life. She was recently seen spending time with retired U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major John McPhee, widely known by his nickname, “Shrek.” The two were photographed holding hands while out and about in Los Angeles on July 7, looking relaxed and low-key. Unlike her typical glamorous appearances, Erika kept things casual in a T-shirt, jeans, sneakers, and a baseball cap, completely makeup-free. John matched the laid-back vibe in a “Slaughter Things” T-shirt, cargo shorts, and Crocs, showing a shared comfort and ease between the two.
John McPhee is a former Delta Force operator and has earned recognition for his military career and no-nonsense approach to life after service. Known in military circles as the “Sheriff of Baghdad,” McPhee served multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In a May 2025 interview with Megyn Kelly, he spoke openly about how his personal life was shaped by his time in service. He admitted that being married while deployed was extremely difficult and compared it to a form of imprisonment. McPhee reflected on how the repeated risks of combat and long absences placed enormous strain on relationships, saying only a rare few marriages survive the intensity and sacrifice that career soldiers face.
Erika and John reportedly connected through a shared passion for jujitsu. Erika began practicing martial arts in 2021 during a tumultuous period in her life, as she navigated the fallout from her ex-husband Tom Girardi’s legal scandals and prioritized her personal safety. John has also spoken about how jujitsu positively impacted his health, helping him manage blood pressure issues and joint pain. He once recalled that his doctor was surprised by his improved condition, even remarking that he looked healthier than ever thanks to his training routine.
Erika’s divorce from Tom Girardi, whom she married in 1999, was filed in November 2020 and has remained in the spotlight due to Girardi’s numerous legal battles. Once a prominent attorney, Tom was later indicted for embezzling millions from clients and was recently sentenced to over seven years in federal prison. Complicating the case was his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, which added to the public scrutiny and legal delays. Throughout this ordeal, Erika has maintained her innocence and was legally cleared of any wrongdoing.
Since separating from Tom, Erika has spoken about dating casually but had not been publicly linked to anyone in a serious way—until now. This developing bond with John McPhee appears to be her first significant relationship post-divorce. While John does not seem to have any children, Erika has a son named Tommy Zizzo from a previous relationship. Tommy, who works as a police officer, has largely stayed out of the spotlight, but he remains an important part of Erika’s life.
As of now, neither Erika nor John has confirmed the status of their relationship publicly, but their recent outing hints at something deeper than friendship, with shared values and life experiences seemingly drawing them together.
