Erika Jayne recently opened up about the “new energy” infusing season 15 of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and it seems that cast member Amanda Frances has already stirred the pot. In an interview conducted just before Christmas, Erika shared that Amanda’s behavior has been a source of contention among the cast, hinting that it might pose challenges for the show. She also offered some words of wisdom for any potential newcomers to the series.

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During her conversation, Erika, who is now 54, touched upon the cast changes slated for the upcoming season. She elaborated on how the dynamic among the women naturally shifts over time and took a moment to defend fellow cast member Kyle Richards, 56, against critics who feel she doesn’t open up enough on the show.

“Viewers are drawn to fresh energy and different reactions,” Erika noted in a December 23 interview with Pride. “We have a close-knit group, and naturally, introducing new people stirs things up,” she explained.

This season, in addition to Amanda Frances, who is 40, Rachel Zoe, 54, has also joined the cast. Unlike Amanda, Rachel entered the scene with existing connections to many of the cast members, introducing herself as a friend. However, Amanda’s outspoken nature and abundance of opinions have already managed to ruffle some feathers among the group.

In addition to Amanda, 40, Rachel Zoe, 54, joined the cast for season 15. But while Rachel had prior ties to the majority of the cast and came in as a friend, Amanda quickly rubbed many the wrong way with her many opinions.

“That can be a problem,” Erika noted. “Because if you do that and you piss everyone off, then what? Friendships ebb and flow, and people go through hard times in their lives, and everybody reacts differently, and sometimes you need a break, but what you do need to have is a point of view, and you need to be able to express that.”

Still, according to Erika, it’s better to come in strong with your opinions than to expect someone else to have your back.

“My advice to anyone coming on would be to have a point of view and don’t be afraid to speak your mind. And don’t look for backup, because it’s not coming,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Erika said she would continue to be an ally and a performer for the gays.

“It’s always for the gays! Who do you think it’s for? All my life, my mentors and teachers have been gay people. To be an ally of the gay community is important. We need to show up for one another!” she declared.

During another interview with Us Weekly, Erika defended Kyle’s decision to keep her love life private.

“I know what Kyle’s been through,” Erika explained. “So watching her take this step and being able to say what was on her heart, I think was very brave of her.”

On a recent episode, Kyle admitted she “fell hard” for someone, allegedly singer Morgan Wade, after her separation from Mauricio Umansky, 55.

“It was very painful for Kyle. You can see the look on my face … There’s so much,” Erika shared, signaling her own past secrecy on the show. 

“People really expected me to speak more about what I was going through knowing that, legally, I couldn’t. But that didn’t matter. The thing is — and Kyle said this — if it were just up to her, she’s more than happy to say. There are other people involved here. They’re not on this show, and I think sometimes the viewers forget that,” she noted. “We signed up for this, but they didn’t. You see a part of our lives.”

“We have lives that include other people, and that doesn’t necessarily mean including them on the show,” she added.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 15 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo.