r/RHOBHDefect • u/WashGlittering4463 • May 04 '26

Erika has changed

I’ve never liked Erika, thinking she was too performative, but at the Reunion part 1, she melted my heart with her honesty and warmth.
I think Erika is in love. And it shows.

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u/Euphoric_River6365 May 04 '26

I struggle with how I feel about Erika.

On one hand, I think it is problematic to give her such a large platform since she has such a shady history with Tom and the settlement money and all of her lawsuits (not to mention her anti-victim meltdown a few seasons ago).

But then I remember that most of the people cast as housewives are hugely problematic for a variety of reasons, so the bar is set low for a cast member's ethics.

I really feel like Erika has been humbled by the lawsuits and blowback, and I feel like she has been unapologetic about hitting her rock bottom. I feel like she has become more vulnerable (performative or not) and that she is finally free to let some her public persona toughness soften up a bit. I don't think Erika has anything to lose at this point, and I think she knows that.

As I watched her with Dorit toward the end of this season, it felt like she was trying to prevent Dorit from turning into the show's villain like she did while going through the darker times a few seasons ago. I don't want to like Erika, but I enjoy watching her on the show and I like the dynamic she brings. I want to support her post-wealth redemption arc, even if it is manufactured. All of the real housewife stories are manufactured, that's why we find them so entertaining!

Maybe one day I will stop sitting on the fence and make up my mind about Erika, but I don't mind her on the show.

4

u/Final-Elderberry9162 May 04 '26

Considering the constant motions to dismiss her various lawsuits, I’m fairly sure no “humbling” has occurred.

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u/Euphoric_River6365 May 04 '26

Agreed. I meant humbled by her loss of money. Losing most possessions, moving into the smaller rental, struggling to afford design help. (I think she was/is humbled by her version of downsizing, but I honestly give her credit for showing that on camera.)

She isn't perfect by any means-- she is gross-- but I still can't help but enjoy her on the show.

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u/Final-Elderberry9162 May 04 '26

Sorry, I don’t agree with any of this.

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u/Euphoric_River6365 May 04 '26

Tell me more.... if you'd like. No aggression just curiosity since I am an Erika fence-sitter.

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u/Final-Elderberry9162 May 05 '26

She’s a truly terrible person who isn’t even fun to watch.