{"id":42391,"date":"2026-01-09T11:02:27","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T11:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/?p=42391"},"modified":"2026-01-09T11:02:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T11:02:27","slug":"erika-jaynes-new-man-john-shrek-mcphee-opens-up-about-his-traumatic-childhood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/2026\/01\/09\/erika-jaynes-new-man-john-shrek-mcphee-opens-up-about-his-traumatic-childhood\/","title":{"rendered":"Erika Jayne&#8217;s new man John &#8216;Shrek&#8217; McPhee opens up about his traumatic childhood"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>RHOBH star <a href=\"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/2026\/01\/07\/theyre-from-different-worlds-so-how-did-erika-jayne-and-her-boyfriend-john-mcphee-meet\/\">Erika Jayne<\/a> has a new man in her life, and trust us, he\u2019s already got everyone talking.<\/p>\n<p>Meet John \u201cShrek\u201d McPhee, the rugged special forces veteran who\u2019s somehow gone from the battlefield to <a href=\"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/2025\/12\/19\/who-is-amanda-frances-husband-inside-the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-stars-family-life\/\">Beverly Hills<\/a> and straight into Erika\u2019s orbit.<\/p>\n<p>But while the nickname is iconic and the tough-guy energy is strong, there\u2019s a much more emotional side to John that people are only just starting to see.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s now opening up about his traumatic childhood, the experiences that shaped him, and the struggles he\u2019s carried for years. And honestly? It\u2019s way deeper than you\u2019d ever expect.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"50\">Meet Erika Jayne&#8217;s new man, John &#8216;Shrek&#8217; McPhee<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJ9aAZxh0sa\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJ9aAZxh0sa\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by John \u2018Shrek\u2019 McPhee (@sobtactical)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"52\" data-end=\"445\">So, who exactly is the man turning heads on Erika Jayne\u2019s arm? Say hello to <a href=\"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/2026\/01\/05\/rhobhs-erika-jaynes-new-boyfriend-is-nicknamed-the-sheriff-of-baghdad-meet-john-mcphee\/\">John \u201cShrek\u201d McPhee<\/a>, the larger-than-life special forces veteran whose nickname is just as legendary as his r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"52\" data-end=\"445\">Known for his fearless attitude, intense discipline and straight-talking charm, John is a total contrast to the glitz and glam of <a href=\"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/2021\/05\/19\/ranked-the-mega-salaries-of-all-the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills\/\">The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills<\/a>, which somehow makes the pairing even more intriguing.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"447\" data-end=\"893\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">He\u2019s spent years operating in some of the world\u2019s most dangerous environments, building a reputation as one of the toughest guys in the room, but don\u2019t let the rugged exterior fool you.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"447\" data-end=\"893\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Some say there\u2019s a surprisingly soft, loyal and protective side to him that comes out with the people he trusts. And lately, that inner circle clearly includes Erika. From combat boots to couture, John\u2019s new chapter is already giving main-character energy.<\/p>\n<h2>John delved into his traumatic childhood<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"John &quot;Shrek&quot; McPhee - The Sheriff of Baghdad | SRS #133\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t41DkpWTado?start=4499&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Appearing on The Shawn Ryan Show in September 2024, Erika Jayne&#8217;s new boyfriend, John, opened up about his tough childhood.<\/p>\n<p>He said: &#8220;I had a dicey childhood&#8230;&#8221; before explaining that he and his brother had to steal food in order to eat.<\/p>\n<p>John said he was 12 years old when he left home and &#8220;did crime to eat until I was older and then I worked.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He said that his mother was &#8220;bitter&#8221; after she got divorced and that she often turned to alcohol to cope which took a toll on their relationship.<\/p>\n<p>John stated that he now &#8220;doesn&#8217;t have any family&#8221; as both parents have passed away, but he still has his brother.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of a wild time during his upbringing, Erika&#8217;s partner said that he lived in a brothel for one or two years: &#8220;There aren&#8217;t a lot of places for a 12-year-old to go.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>When Shawn asked how he ended up living in a brothel, John laughed and said: &#8220;These are the people and your neighbours and family in South Chicago&#8230; this lady that ran it took care of us&#8230; she was the nicest human being I ever met, she was great.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He had to put himself through school and said that he and his brother thought they &#8220;could do better on their own&#8221; living away from their mom.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><i>For all the latest reality TV cast member news, scandals, gossip and updates \u2013 like\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/realitytvshrine.com\/\"><span class=\"s1\"><b><i>Reality Shrine<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/a><i>\u00a0on\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/realityshrineofficial?rdid=TzQu2kEd2cUqU4rD&amp;share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F14zX5cKubf%2F#\"><span class=\"s1\"><b><i>Facebook<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/a><i>.<\/i><i><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>He lived in a brothel at 12 years old <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":249734210,"featured_media":42403,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1358],"tags":[1552,2005,1565],"class_list":["post-42391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-bravo","tag-real-housewives","tag-the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills"],"acf":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/realitytvshrine.com\/realityshrine\/2026\/01\/09\/erika-jaynes-new-man-john-shrek-mcphee-opens-up-about-his-traumatic-childhood\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Erika Jayne&#8217;s new man John &#8216;Shrek&#8217; 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