‘RHOBH’: Who Is John ‘Shrek’ McPhee, Erika Jayne’s Boyfriend?
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fans are buzzing about John “Shrek” McPhee, thanks to his relationship with Erika Jayne. John has quietly carved out a presence as a supportive partner, known for his easygoing personality and loyalty. With his nickname, “Shrek,” giving him a memorable pop-culture edge, viewers are eager to learn more. Here’s everything to know.
‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star Erika Jayne explained how she met John ‘Shrek’ McPhee
On The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 15, Erika Jayne doesn’t shy away from talking about her new relationship with John “Shrek” McPhee. She described John as a “nice man” who makes her feel comfortable and at ease.
So, what is John’s background? He’s a retired U.S. Army Special Operations sergeant major who spent more than two decades in the military. His service reportedly included combat deployments and extensive training roles in special operations units. After leaving the Army, John built a career in private security and tactical training, founding his own brand, SOB Tactical. The brand offers gear, instruction, and consulting for civilians and professionals. He’s also worked as a celebrity bodyguard, with clients including reality star Heidi Montag, according to Reality Tea.
Erika explained how she first met John on the new season of RHOBH. She introduced herself to him after her show in London in June 2025.
“I walked up to him,” Erika said, according to Us Weekly. “He was on a friend of mine’s podcast. I walked by, and I was like, ‘Is that who I think it is?’ and I kept walking. I walked back and was like, ‘It is.'”
John ‘Shrek’ McPhee has been divorced ‘several times’
John “Shrek” McPhee’s personal life has included multiple marriages and separations, many of which he has acknowledged publicly. McPhee himself has said in interviews that he has been “divorced several times.” He noted that his long military career with frequent deployments made sustaining relationships especially difficult. John described the demands of life in the U.S. Army Special Operations community, where long absences are common, as a factor that contributed to those splits.
More recently, McPhee filed for divorce from his most recent wife, Jennifer Blanton, in February 2025. They were married for a decade. Court filings from that case list their separation date as September 2023. They show that Blanton filed a counterclaim seeking spousal support and a larger share of marital assets, DailyMail.com reported, according to Reality Tea. She asserted that her husband’s income from his tactical training business and other ventures should factor into the settlement.
Erika Jayne didn’t want the ‘RHOBH’ cast to meet him immediately
Erika Jayne explained to Us Weekly in December 2025 why she didn’t want the RHOBH cast to immediately meet John “Shrek” McPhee.
“No one’s met him, and I kind of like it like that because I like him, and I know how bad these things are for your relationship,” Erika shared at the time. “Like, I’ve gone through too much on this. Like, I think I need, you know, I would like to keep that relationship special and over here if I could.”
Erika noted that John wasn’t familiar with the Real Housewives franchise at all when they met.
“He’s never seen the show, doesn’t know anything about it,” she said.
In season 15, Erika expressed how she was disappointed that paparazzi captured photos of her and John. They were on a date early on in their romance when the photos were taken.
“So, it was nice to have two dates that were just my own,” she joked, according to Bravo. “I’m kinda disappointed though, because I would have liked a little bit more time to get to know him before something like that happened, because it changes everything. And then it’s no longer yours.”
