Since 2015, Erika Jayne (also known as Erika Girardi) has polarized TV viewers of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. But whether you love the blonde bombshell or not, one can’t deny that she shines as a singer/performer. In 2007 Jayne launched her music career and climbed the hot dance club charts with her catchy, edgy singles. Now the reality TV maven brings all her hits to the Las Vegas stage at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay for her show, Bet It All on Blonde, playing various dates through Dec. 16. Las Vegas Magazine’s Kiko Miyasato spoke with Jayne while she was rehearsing in L.A. just ahead of the start of her residency.
Who came up with the name of the show, Bet It All on Blonde?
My very dear friend Jerrod Blandino, who was the creator of Too Faced Cosmetics and Polite Society. The reason I asked him is because he’s so used to naming products and he’s a creative genius, and I was thinking, ‘What do I call this show?’ and I reached out to him and told him I was stuck. He told me, ‘Give me five minutes.’ And he texts me and at the very end it says, “Bet It All on Blonde.” I read it and I was like, ‘That’s it!’ It’s a nod to Vegas. It’s a nod to my return to myself and hey, we’re all out here betting on something.
How long has the residency been in the works?
Since the top of 2023. It came together quickly and that’s why you know it’s meant to be.
Why did you choose to do your show in Las Vegas?
I mean, why wouldn’t I choose Las Vegas? First of all, I have loved Las Vegas since I was a child, and then coming to Las Vegas as an adult having visited many times, and when I did my book tour and I did a signing at Crystals and someone asked, ‘Would you ever have a show in Las Vegas?’ And I said, ‘It would be a dream of mine.’ And here’s a dream of mine coming true. I love the city; I love everything that Las Vegas is about, and I just think there’s no better place to have a residency.
Can you fill our readers in on what they can expect at your show?
It’s 90 minutes of fantasy, love, escape, glitz, glamour and fun. I’m doing my old material, new songs and some clever covers.
What songs are you covering in the show?
I went live on my Instagram and asked my fan base, ‘What songs would you like to see me cover?’ And I took one of the suggestions, which was very clever, and I put it in the show. I don’t want to tell you what song ’cause I don’t want to ruin it, but it’ll be easy to spot and the artist that I’m covering is a big inspiration of mine.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna. I’m a child of the ’80s. Those three performers for me—musically, live shows, costumes, makeup, aesthetics—that’s the holy trinity.
With all the drama on the Real Housewives, and in your real life, and your life as a performer, how do you compartmentalize it all?
The only time I’m really truly present in life 100% is when I’m onstage, because I’m totally connected to the moment, connected to the people, the audience. The exchange of energy—there’s nothing like a live show; singing and dancing and entertaining and being under those lights and in the moment. It’s a very special place and anyone that also performs I think will tell you that, that’s why we keep doing it over and over again. There’s nothing like it.
House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22-23, ticketmaster.com
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