You’re scrolling through Peacock or rewatching old seasons of Summer House to prepare for the new drama, and suddenly, you see a face that looks wildly familiar. She’s tall, blonde, and talking about faith in a way that feels just a little bit out of place for a show known for "send it" vibes and Loverboy towers.
That’s Erika Kirk—well, back then she was Erika Frantzve.
Most fans completely missed her because she wasn't a main cast member. She wasn't even a "friend of." She was basically a guest star who walked into the Hamptons chaos for a hot second and then vanished. But if you look at where she is now—running one of the most powerful conservative organizations in the country—her brief stint in reality TV feels like a fever dream.
The Jordan Verroi Connection (Season 3)
Let’s go back to 2019. Season 3 of Summer House was kind of a turning point for the show. It was the year Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner joined, and the year Jordan Verroi became the resident enigma. Jordan was, to put it mildly, a lot. He talked a big game but seemed terrified of actually hooking up with anyone in the house.
Enter Erika.
Carl Radke actually set them up. It’s funny to think about now, but Carl—the guy who spent years as the "villain" of New York nightlife—was the one who introduced this deeply religious woman to the group. Carl told the cameras she was "beautiful" and "happens to be religious."
They went on a date, and Jordan was immediately smitten. In his confessional, he gushed about her "radiance" and her "inner beauty." For a show that usually focuses on who is making out in the pantry, their interaction was surprisingly wholesome. They talked about theology and values.
It didn't last. Obviously.
Did She Actually Turn Down a Full-Time Role?
Here is where the tea gets interesting. A lot of people think she was just a "one-and-done" date, but Erika later claimed on Instagram that she was offered a full-time spot in the cast.
She posted about it back in 2019 after finishing her Juris Master at Liberty University. She mentioned making "career sacrifices," specifically calling out that she turned down being a cast member for Bravo's Summer House.
Honestly? It’s hard to imagine her fitting in for an entire season. Can you picture Erika sitting through a 4:00 AM blowout fight between Kyle and Amanda? Or participating in a "wig party"? Probably not.
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Why she didn't fit the Bravo mold:
- The Faith Factor: She was very vocal about her Christian values, which usually gets edited as a "quirk" on Bravo rather than a lifestyle.
- The Timing: She met her late husband, Charlie Kirk, right around the same time (2018/2019).
- Academic Goals: She was deep into her studies at Liberty University, pursuing law and biblical studies.
Life After the Hamptons
Since her cameo, Erika’s life has taken a trajectory that no one in the Summer House production office could have predicted. She moved away from modeling and reality TV to focus on "biblical womanhood" and conservative activism.
She married Charlie Kirk in 2021. They had two kids. Then, in a tragic turn of events in September 2025, Charlie was assassinated while speaking at an event in Utah.
Today, she isn't just a "former reality star." She is the CEO of Turning Point USA. She took over the organization after Charlie’s death, vowing to keep his movement alive. It’s a massive jump from a casual date in the Hamptons to leading a national political powerhouse.
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What Fans Still Ask
People still scour Reddit trying to find the exact episode she was in. If you're looking, it's in Season 3. It’s a weird "glitch in the matrix" moment for fans who follow both pop culture and the news.
It’s also a reminder that the people who appear on these shows are often much more complex than the ten minutes of edited footage we see. Erika was a Miss Arizona USA winner (2012) and a college basketball player before she ever stepped foot on a Bravo set.
The Reality TV to Politics Pipeline
We’ve seen it before, but usually, it goes the other way around. Most people use politics to get famous. Erika had a foot in the door of the "influencer" world and the reality TV machine and chose to walk away from it for a very different kind of platform.
Whether you agree with her politics or not, her story is a wild example of how a "side character" in one story can become the lead in a completely different world.
If you want to see the footage for yourself:
- Fire up Peacock and head to Summer House Season 3.
- Look for the episodes featuring Jordan Verroi’s dating life.
- Pay attention to the scene where Carl introduces them—it’s a fascinating look at a future political leader before she was a household name in conservative circles.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
If you’re interested in tracking how reality stars pivot into "real-world" careers, Erika Kirk is the ultimate case study. You can check out her podcast, Midweek Rise Up, to see how she’s translated her on-camera presence into a leadership role. Most importantly, don't believe everything you see on a first date on Bravo—sometimes the "quiet religious girl" ends up running a multi-million dollar nonprofit.