Thomas Zizzo: Erika Jayne’s 1st Husband Is the Father of Her Son & Remains Close with Her

In the world of reality television, Erika Jayne stands out with a shining presence. Yet, amidst the glare of fame, a lesser-known tale predates her famous relationship with, and eventual separation from Tom Girardi – the man she married before her rise to fame, Thomas Zizzo.

Erika Jayne's journey from modest beginnings to the glitzy peaks of stardom has captured the attention of viewers worldwide. As a star of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," her life has been an open book, with every chapter of her story exposed to the limelight.

Beneath the reality star's more recognized marriage to Tom Girardi lies a love story that precedes her celebrity status – her union with Thomas Zizzo. Although less prominently highlighted, this early chapter of her life holds its own significance which was marked by the birth of their son.

How Erika Jayne Met Thomas Zizzo

Thomas and Erika met in New York, where she had moved from Atlanta to pursue her dream of becoming a singer and performer. He was a professional DJ who preferred staying out of the spotlight.

The TV personality noted that they had shared interests; she performed and made music while he played music at clubs. Starting as a teen, he dabbled in DJing at local clubs, and he stuck with it mostly because he loved it.

Thomas's father passed away when he was young, and since his mother worked in a garment factory, he helped out with the family business. DJing started as a teenage hobby on the side.

Not long after, she moved to New York. She married Thomas, who was seven years older than her. They exchanged vows at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan. It was also the same church where Thomas had been baptized.

Erika mentioned that marrying Thomas—who was 33 years old at the time—was not part of her plan, but it was the result of circumstances aligning perfectly during their relationship.

The Couple Welcomed a Son before Their Divorce

Thomas and Erika share a son named Tommy Zizzo. As fate would have it, their marriage ended, and after her divorce, she moved to Los Angeles. She and Thomas had been strained before they got a divorce.

Their son Tommy, who was a young boy at the time, was unaware of their crumbling relationship as he never saw them fight in front of him.

"And that was true, we never fought in front of our son," Erika wrote. "Once our marriage was over, we never had nothing to fight about."

Thomas wholeheartedly supported her decision to relocate to Los Angeles.

Despite Thomas relocating to Las Vegas in 2013, he maintained communication with his ex-wife. Meanwhile, his former wife pursued her performing dreams in Los Angeles, finding her focus after her son became a teenager.

While most celebrity kids often follow in their parent's footsteps in the entertainment scene, Tommy takes the opposite path. Following his graduation from the Los Angeles Police Department Academy in 2014, Tommy pursued a career in law enforcement.

Thomas's son lived in his mother's home, which doesn't particularly concern his mother. In 2017, Tommy's mom said that she appreciated having him at home as it provided her with a sense of free security.

Despite their busy schedules and constant traveling, having her son in the house offers comfort and reassurance. While Erika flourishes in the public spotlight, Tommy takes after his highly private father Thomas. He opts to live a private life.

She respects her son's privacy and independence and does not meddle in his personal life. She believes his son can make good decisions and praises his maturity and judgment.

Erika Jayne & Thomas Zizzo Remain Friends

Following a period of strain, Thomas and his ex-wife reignited their connection and reestablished their friendship. Thomas wholeheartedly supported her decision to relocate to Los Angeles. Frequently, their conversations revolved around their son's life.

Thomas has maintained a tight-knit friendship with his ex-wife, even if the latter once brought his name up in public shortly after ending her relationship with Tom Girardi. Thomas has shown strong support for her amid the situation.

Erika recently embarked on a separate path from Tom following their 21-year marriage. The reality star announced in November 2020:

"After much consideration, I have decided to end my marriage to Tom Girardi."

She explained that they reached the decision after careful consideration and contemplation. Her feelings towards Tom and the life they have built together have carried a profound depth of affection and respect over the years.

She requested privacy as they navigated through this transition. The former couple exchanged their wedding vows in 1999. Like Erika, other 'Real Housewives' stars have also experienced divorce, including Kyle Richards, Teresa Giudice, Denise Richards, and Garcelle Beauvais.