For years, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne and her now-estranged husband Tom Girardi hid their relationship issues from fans watching the show. Before the ultimate downfall of their marriage, Erika made it seem like she and Tom were a perfect couple. In fact, she had always put him on a pedestal, repeatedly appreciating Tom's love and support throughout their marriage. Clearly, her appreciation was all a facade.

In November 2020, Erika filed for divorce from Tom in the middle of filming RHOBH season 11. When the ladies discovered that the couple decided to part ways, they were all in shock. After all, Erika had said nothing throughout her five seasons on the show that lead anyone to believe there was trouble in paradise between her and Tom. Erika, like most women married to powerful men in Hollywood, kept her private life a secret as much as she could.

Related: RHOBH: Erika Likes Shady Tweet Suggesting Lawyers Pursue Tom's Mistresses

After the 50-year-old married the well-known lawyer in 1999, the pair became one of the most powerful couples in showbiz. Unfortunately, all that power came with a few untold secrets. According to the infamous LA Times article that was spoken about during RHOBH season 11, Tom, who was accused of staging nursing-home photos, has allegedly been up to no good for at least 10 years, if not more. One of his earlier former clients suffered from serious burns over 50% of his body during the 2010 pipeline explosion, which was just the beginning of Tom's current legal issues. Interestingly enough, this entire situation took place well before Erika had even begun her journey as a housewife on reality TV. The disgraced lawyer was fully aware of the money he misappropriated from the burn victim, yet he allowed Erika to star on a show as big as The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

RHOBH ERIKA AND TOM

Tom seemed to think that he was invincible and could use his money and false niceties to divert any bad press away from him. Tom currently owes $101 million in debt, but he was using RHOBH to create a narrative that he was a lawyer willing to help others. The estranged couple never let anyone see the downfalls in their marriage or the alleged criminal activity Tom had been up to for all these years. In Hollywood, one's image is everything, so Tom had to cover up these allegations with the extravagance of their lifestyle as displayed on reality TV. After all, no one would think an alleged embezzler would flaunt his lifestyle for the world to see.

When it comes to reality TV and the glamourous lifestyle of Los Angeles, hiding one's problems is nothing new. Erika and Tom, whose zodiac signs clashed, were a lot better at it as they had been doing it on TV for the last six years. The facade can only work for so long until the truth is ready to be revealed, especially when there are accusations of infidelity and embezzlement.

Next: RHOBH: Where All Of The Housewives Stand In Erika & Sutton’s Feud

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo.

Source: LA Times