Sutton Stracke and Erika Jayne from Bravo's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills have famously butted heads on the show. Their differing opinions constantly grate against each other. But recent scenes in season 12 have shown that there's a glimmer of hope for the two.
The relationship between Erika and Sutton has been tumultuous. Sutton only joined RHOBH as a full-time housewife in 2021, but since her arrival, she's already managed to ruffle feathers, especially Erika's, regarding the legal issues with her ex-husband Tom Girardi. While most of the cast took a back seat, deciding not to ask the hard questions, Sutton had no issue expressing her skepticism around the situation. Eventually, things reached a boiling point as these strong personalities clashed, threats were made, and walls were put up. But sometimes two people such as Erika and Sutton can be even stronger together.
In RHOBH season 12, episode 7, viewers began to see what could be the early signs of a potentially powerful alliance. Although it was aided by alcohol in Punta de Mita, it still showed that Erika and Sutton's energy when communicating positively could bloom into something great. "I wish I had more talks like this with Sutton, where it's just a back and forth," Erika said in her confessional during the episode. "There are times that Sutton and I connect; then it inevitably goes wrong." Later in the show, Erika gave Sutton her opinions and advice about online dating, while the other ladies rallied for the new connection. If the two women could just figure out what it was that constantly put them at odds, they may be able to find a way to move past it. Erika's legal issues, still seemingly unsettled, have been a catalyst for most of the tension.
This would not be the first time two alpha personalities would unite to prove strength in numbers. Lisa Vanderpump and Kyle Richards' friendship in earlier seasons of RHOBH provided a constantly entertaining and fascinating dynamic. Tamra Judge and Vicki Gunvalson of The Real Housewives of Orange County also frequently delivered on screen throughout their seasons. If Erika and Sutton do become close, there's no denying it will make for compelling television, especially considering their previous rocky encounters. A friendship bolstered by a history of testing times has the potential to be solid. Their partnership could give viewers a new power couple to get behind, not just in circumstances of conflict but also in everyday communications, cast trips, and dinners. Their combined outspoken nature could be a force to be reckoned with.
Past seasons in The Real Housewives franchise have shown that strong personalities can either clash and oppose each other or come together and exude power and dominance. Sutton and Erika's rocky history might just be the foundation the two need in order to form a bond that could prove to be even stronger than some already in the cast. Time will tell if the fractures in their friendship will ever fully heal again.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on Bravo.