Originally posted Friday, December 7, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

Atlanta native Erika Jayne was already popular in dance world circles before joining "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" in 2015.

But joining the show has helped expand her fan base and she is coming back home to perform at Center Stage on Tuesday, December 11 on her "Pretty Mess" tour. (Tickets here for $50 each.)

Jayne on the reality show consistently comes across as cool and collected. Her sexy stage alter ego is definitely wilder.

Her life has certainly changed from her middle-class upbringing in Atlanta when she was known as Erika Girardi. The North Atlanta High School graduate said she remembers performing at Center Stage at a children’s musical when she was in eighth or ninth grade.

“It’s kind of bizarre to think about that,” she said in a recent interview. “My show is going to be all glitz, glamour and fun. The show is really tight in three acts. So far, the audience has received it well.”

She said this is the first time she has done a truly solo show. “I had always been on with someone else,” she said. “Usually it’s a festival or a special performance at a club. This is special being on my own tour. People are paying just to see me.”

Her audience so far has been heavily female with a few gay dudes, too.

“A lot of moms and daughters,” she said. “A lot of college girls and women who watch ‘Real Housewives.’ And the LBGTQ community has been hugely supportive.” And a couple of meet and greets, she met some pregnant women who looked super ready to give birth. “I told them, ‘If they’re born here, can you name them Erika?’”

As for “Real Housewives,” she takes it for what it is and doesn’t get overly worked up about what happens. The new ninth season begins in January, 2019 on Bravo.

“You just roll with the punches even if it seems ridiculous or life changing,” she said. “Sometimes it’s a wine glass. Sometimes people are sick and their lives are falling apart.”

This year gets some fresh star power with Denise Richards aboard. "She's very cool," Jayne said. "I've enjoyed getting to know her." (Lisa Rinna, the most notable actress on the show before Richards came along, will "bring enough drama to satisfy the fans. I will bet money on it.")

And though her memoir "Pretty Mess" earlier this year got mixed reviews from readers (3.5 stars on Amazon out of 5), it was a New York Times best seller. "Never imagined myself ever saying that!" Jayne said. "I like going to the bookstore and seeing my book there. I enjoyed writing it and going on the book tour."

The show also led her to “Dancing With the Stars” last year, where she finished ninth place. As many prior contestants have noted, ballroom can be super difficult, especially since she had to deal with a partner after mostly dancing solo during her shows.

“I have a tendency to lead,” she said. “That was a challenge.”

RELATED: My first interview with Erika in 2016

CONCERT PREVIEW

Erika Jayne’s Pretty Mess Tour

9 p.m. Tuesday, December 11

$50 general admission, $100 meet & greet, $250 VIP

Center Stage

1374 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta