Erika Jayne, an American singer, actress, and reality television personality, has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. Best known for her role on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, she has also had a successful career as a dance music artist. However, in recent years, her financial situation has been entangled in legal troubles following the downfall of her ex-husband, Tom Girardi. As of 2025, Erika Jayne’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million, a significant shift from the extravagant lifestyle she once flaunted.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Erika Chahoy in Atlanta, Georgia, Erika Jayne spent her early years pursuing a career in acting and music. At 18, she moved to New York City to chase her dreams, landing small acting roles in television shows during the mid-1990s. Eventually, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she met Tom Girardi, a prominent attorney.
Marriage to Tom Girardi and Lavish Lifestyle
Erika and Tom Girardi began dating in the late 1990s, despite their significant age difference—she was in her late 20s, and he was in his 60s. They married in 2000, and Erika became immersed in a world of luxury. Girardi, a founding partner of the prestigious law firm Girardi & Keese, had built a fortune through high-profile consumer malpractice cases. He was involved in landmark lawsuits, including the famous Pacific Gas & Electric Co. case that inspired the film Erin Brockovich.
Throughout their marriage, Erika enjoyed the benefits of Girardi’s wealth, frequently showcasing her opulent lifestyle on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She often boasted about spending $40,000 per month on clothes and glam teams. However, their seemingly perfect life began unraveling in 2020 when the couple announced their separation after 21 years of marriage.
Music Career and Television Success
In 2007, Erika Jayne launched her music career with the single Roller Coaster, which topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Her 2009 debut album, Pretty Mess, solidified her presence in the dance music industry. With Tom’s financial backing, she worked with industry giants like Michael Jackson’s choreographer and RuPaul’s costume designer. Over the years, she released nine Billboard Dance Chart-topping singles and built a loyal following, particularly overseas.
Her fame skyrocketed when she joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in 2015. The show gave her a platform to promote her music while further reinforcing her glamorous persona. She capitalized on her popularity with additional ventures, including memoir writing and brand collaborations.
Legal and Financial Issues: The Fall of Tom Girardi
While Erika was gaining fame on reality television, her husband Tom Girardi was facing increasing financial scrutiny. Girardi, who once claimed a net worth of $264 million, had been securing loans for his firm while allegedly mismanaging client funds.
One major red flag was a reported $20 million transfer from Girardi’s firm to Erika’s entertainment company, EJ Global LLC. Creditors alleged that money meant for clients—such as victims of the 2010 PG&E pipeline explosion—was instead funding Erika’s extravagant lifestyle.
Legal troubles escalated in December 2020 when Tom and his firm were forced into involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Creditors, including former law partners and clients, came forward with claims of unpaid debts totaling millions. One of Girardi’s former clients, a burn victim from the PG&E explosion, sued after not receiving a promised $12 million settlement, further fueling accusations of embezzlement.
In court testimony, Girardi admitted, “At one point, I had about $80 million or $50 million in cash. That’s all gone. I don’t have any money.” Reports also revealed that his once-lavish stock portfolio, previously valued at $50 million, had dwindled to almost nothing.
Erika Jayne’s Legal Defense and Divorce Controversy
As lawsuits mounted, Erika filed for divorce in November 2020, a move many creditors claimed was a strategy to protect assets. Plaintiffs accused her of being complicit in Tom’s alleged financial misconduct, claiming the divorce was a “sham” and that she was hiding assets.
Erika has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting she was unaware of Tom’s financial dealings. She has since been entangled in legal battles to prove that she did not benefit illegally from Girardi’s firm’s funds.
Real Estate and Lifestyle Adjustments
For most of their marriage, Erika and Tom lived in a sprawling 10,000-square-foot Pasadena mansion valued at $15.5 million. However, due to mounting legal debts, the estate was listed for sale in 2021 for $13 million, with proceeds earmarked for creditor repayment.
Amid the financial turmoil, Erika moved out of their mansion and into a rental property in Los Angeles’ Hancock Park neighborhood. This marked a stark contrast from her previous extravagant lifestyle.
The Future: Reinvention Amidst Scandal
Despite the controversies, Erika continues to reinvent herself. She remains a central figure on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, using the platform to share her side of the legal drama. While her music career has taken a backseat, she has explored other ventures, including branded collaborations and merchandise.
Though her current net worth of $5 million is a significant decline from the wealth she once enjoyed, Erika Jayne remains determined to maintain her career. Whether she will successfully rebuild her fortune and reputation remains to be seen, but her resilience and ability to stay in the public eye suggest that she is not stepping away from the spotlight anytime soon.
Her story serves as a cautionary tale of the intersection of wealth, fame, and legal accountability, proving that even the most glamorous lifestyles can come crashing down in an instant.