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How Did Erika Girardi's Son React to Her Sharing His Photo on Instagram?
The RHOBH cast member reveals the heartwarming reason she finally posted his pic.
Erika Girardi practically broke the Internet when she posted the first-ever photo of her police officer son, Tommy, on Instagram on May 5. Now The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member is opening up about why she decided to finally let fans in on this part of her life.
Erika explained during a conversation with Andy Cohen on his SiriusXM show on May 6 that self-quarantine made her do it. "I don't know, maybe quarantine crazy," Erika joked of why now felt like the right time to share a photo of her son. "But I am a proud mom, you know, of my essential worker son."
She added that Tommy is "out there working like every other man and woman on the front line" amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Erika said she is, of course, extra-protective of her son, as everyone is with their loved ones, during this time. "Listen, this is a crazy time," she said. "We're all concerned for all of our families."
Andy noted that prior to the pandemic, he had stopped showing son Ben's face on social media at the encouragement of his family, who reminded him that his 1-year-old had not chosen to live his life in the public eye like his dad. But reuniting with Ben after being quarantined due to his positive coronavirus diagnosis changed his mind about sharing pics of his kid.
Erika had always had a similar mindset when it came to not posting photos of her son on social media. "He didn't choose this life; I chose this life, and we try to protect them," she explained. "I don't care if he is an adult and he carried a gun and a badge. At the end of the day, he's still my boy."
This photo of Tommy quickly became Erika's top-performing post on Instagram, so clearly fans were eager to meet him, especially since he has yet to appear on RHOBH and likely never will, his mom has said in the past. "I posted it, and I'm glad I did," Erika said of sharing the photo. "He's a very fine young man, and I'm super proud."
So, how did Tommy react to being put in the spotlight on his mom's Instagram? "I haven't heard yet," Erika said. "Hopefully, it doesn't even come across his whole situation. Who knows?"
Want more RHOBH? New episodes air every Wednesday at 8/7c or catch up on this season through the Bravo app.
Erika isn't the only proud mom on RHOBH. See how Lisa Rinna is momaging her supermodel daughters, Delilah Belle and Amelia Gray Hamlin, in the below sneak peek.
Photo: Getty Images
