Once upon a time at BravoCon 2022, Erika Jayne cheekily named Dorit Kemsley and PK Kemsley as the next Bravo couple heading for Splitsville, causing tension between the two women when The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills returned for Season 13 last year. However, the tides have since turned and Jayne was — much to our surprise — the first one in their friend group Dorit told about her headline-making separation in the Season 14 premiere.
Before the news came out publicly, Dorit opened up about her marital troubles in an emotional conversation with Jayne, who immediately teared up.
“I’ve been so used to bad news for the last four years,” Jayne told DECIDER in a recent Zoom interview, referring to her own highly publicized divorce. “When she told me they were separating, it literally took my breath away. And I started to cry because — and I said it, ‘I don’t want this for you.’ Because I know how hard it is and how painful it is.”
Jayne added that even she was “shocked” by how much Dorit’s news “bothered” her, noting, “This is an entertainment show. But, you know, we are humans and we feel pain and it hurts. And something like this just hurts.”
The reality star also gushed over newbies Jennifer Tilly and Bozoma Saint John, and teased whether we’ll get to see more of her life as a performer on this season of RHOBH. Check out our full interview with Jayne below.
DECIDER: I’m really excited about this season. How are you feeling going into your ninth season? What side of Erika are we going to get to see this year?
ERIKA JAYNE: I’ve had a great time [during] my nine seasons on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I’ve been afforded many opportunities, even through the hard times. And yeah, I think it’s wonderful.
Obviously, last season ended with an epic performance from you and it was followed up with the Bet It All On Blonde documentary. Will we get to see more of that part of your life this season?
We actually do. And it’s in the first episode. I’m making a video for a song that I have out called “Dominos.” And it’s a really cool scene. And so, yes, the answer is yes. More music, more creation, more fun.
You had a really emotional response when Dorit revealed her separation to you. Were you surprised that you were the first one she opened up to? And what was going through your head at that moment?
It’s painful. These things are painful. I was shocked at myself that I – I don’t like bad news, as you can see. I’m like, what are you trying to tell me? Because I’ve been so used to bad news for the last four years. And when she told me they were separating, it literally took my breath away. And I started to cry because – and I said it, “I don’t want this for you.” Because I know how hard it is and how painful it is. And I didn’t even have kids, you know? So here she has two little ones. And you just don’t want to see your friend go through stuff like that. I mean, I’m grateful that she told me and she felt comfortable enough to tell me, but this sucks – what Kyle’s going through publicly, what I went through, what now Dorit is going through. It’s very hard. It’s not easy to do this. It’s not easy to end the marriage, however you want to say it, on television and then to be criticized and picked apart and judged, it’s very difficult.
Something like that is hard for anyone, let alone someone doing it with the whole world weighing in.
Yeah, of course. The problem is our lives are entertainment, right? This is an entertainment show. But, you know, we are humans and we feel pain and it hurts. And something like this just hurts. And it just upset me. And I was kind of shocked that it bothered me so much.
In the premiere, we see you go from hanging out with Dorit to hanging out with Kyle – and I think you did a great job at staying neutral, for the record. As someone who’s friends with both of them, do you think they’ll be able to work out their issues?
I think they’re definitely in a better place than where they started. Now, I say that today. I don’t know. This is what’s funny – when you’re doing interviews and promotion for the season, who knows what someone will say that they will get mad about again? So, I think that they worked through a lot of their stuff. Where they are is definitely better than where they started, but the rest of it is up to them.
Sutton previously teased that this season is Dorit vs. everyone and named her as the one who causes the most drama. Do you agree with that assessment?
Talk about pot calling the kettle black! Sutton Stracke – to say that somebody else is causing all the drama, she causes enough of her own. I mean, Dorit definitely does let us all have it multiple times, but rightfully so. She’s also going through a terrible time in her life. But Sutton causes enough of her own drama.
You rightfully checked Denise Richards after she weirdly came for you last season. Where do you stand now with her? And did you have to put anyone else in their place this season?
Well, I saw Denise recently, and I’ll just leave that there so you can check that out when it happens. Yeah, I had to let someone know how I felt this season. You know, I am as forthcoming as I can be. So, yes, the answer is yes. I don’t know if it’s as good as the dinner party because that was just like on outer space. That was the most bizarre shit I had ever – I was truly confused. I literally was just like, “What are you doing right now?” It made great television and there you go. I don’t think she knew what she was doing either, but that’s okay too.
I think the whole world was confused.
It’s one of those things that I will forever be – it’s funny, I was scrolling and it came up the other day and I was just like, my face is just – if you could have heard my internal conversation, there’s a moment when I actually said, “Wait a second, is this real?” Like, that’s literally what I was thinking inside. Like, “Wait a second. Hold on. I know we’re high right now, right? Like, we had this THC dinner, and I know shit’s a little weird in my life, but is this really happening?” The answer was yes.
You stayed close friends with Lisa Rinna after she left the show – and she recently posted a photo that was seemingly teasing a comeback. Is there anything you can say about that? Would you like to have her back on the show in the future?
I would love to see Lisa come back. She’s not going to come back. And I’m actually going to see her tonight. We’re we’re good friends. We’re going with our friend Diana to see Sting tonight at The Wiltern. So, you know, we’re all good friends. We still hang out. And I think that’s one of the added good things about being on a show like this is you do make real connections. But you have to invest in those. You have to nurture those relationships.
Sutton has kind of been vouching for Jennifer Tilly to join the show for a couple of years now. How do you think she did in her first season? Because I know a lot of people are excited to see her on the show.
You should be because Jennifer is truly one of these – she’s fascinating. I look at her while we’re [filming] – I just, like, look at her. She has such a bright mind and [she’s] very interesting. And she brings a lot. She’s really cool.
She’s always a hoot on Watch What Happens Live.
She’s very entertaining. She has one of the best jewelry collections I’ve ever seen – [she] puts all of our jewelry to shame. She is legit. Great fashion, huge collector, but a nice person. And she’s got this really cool story about herself. It’s just really neat. She’s really special.
What else can you tease about the rest of this season?
I’m excited for everybody to meet the new girl, [Bozoma Saint John]. I think that she is wonderful. I think she has a great personal story. I think she comes into the group, fits right in, speaks her mind and is very charming, very charismatic, has a great personal story. And, you know, I’m excited to watch the group grow in different directions.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. New episodes begin streaming the next day on Peacock.
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