Erica Mena | |
|---|---|
 Mena in 2015 | |
| Born | Erica Jasmin Mena[1] (1987-11-08)November 8, 1987 (age 37) Newburgh, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Erica Mena Samuels[2] |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, model, socialite |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Dance-pop |
Musical artist | |
Erica Jasmin Mena (born November 8, 1987) is an American actress, model, singer andvideo vixen. She is best known for her appearances in theLove & Hip Hop franchise from 2011 to 2023, particularly in theNew York andAtlanta installments.[3][4]
Mena first gained notoriety as a model[5] and "video vixen", through her appearances in variouship hop music videos, for artists such asChris Brown,Fabolous,Akon andFat Joe.[6][7] She became known to a larger audience through her reality television appearances, includingKourtney & Khloe Take Miami andLove & Hip Hop: New York, the original installment of theLove & Hip Hop franchise.[8]
She has released two autobiographies,Chronicles of a Confirmed Bachelorette[9] andUnderneath It All.[10] In August 2017, it was announced that Mena would compete in the first season of VH1'sScared Famous, which premiered in October 2017. In 2018, Erica joined the cast ofLove & Hip Hop: Atlanta for the seventh season.[11] In 2019, she returned toLove & Hip Hop: New York for its tenth anniversary season.
Mena was fired fromLove & Hip Hop: Atlanta in September 2023, after calling fellow cast memberSpice a "blue monkey".[12]
Mena is openlybisexual.[13] Mena is ofDominican andPuerto Rican ancestry. She graduated fromNewburgh Free Academy in Newburgh, NY.[14] She has a son, King Javien Conde (b. March 1, 2007) with video director and rapper Raul Conde, a member of Fat Joe'sTerror Squad. Conde died on November 22, 2023.[15]
Mena was previously engaged toBow Wow. In December 2018, Mena became engaged to rapper and television personalitySafaree Samuels. On October 7, 2019, she and Samuels married at the White Castle inNew Jersey.[16] Their daughter was born in 2020.[17] On May 4, 2021, she announced that she and Samuels were expecting their second child together.[18] On May 25, 2021, TMZ reported that Mena officially filed for divorce from Samuels.[19] Their son was born in 2021.[20]
In October 2018, Mena and boyfriend Clifford Dixon were arrested at Mena'sJohns Creek, Georgia residence for a domestic dispute, with Dixon charged with criminal trespass and Mena charged with marijuana possession. The police were called when roommates were disturbed by the commotion upstairs when Dixon kicked down a bedroom door that Mena had locked to barricade herself. Both were released when posting bail.[21][22][23]
In 2023, Mena was fired fromLove & Hip Hop for using a racial slur.[24] She later issued an apology.[25]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Almost Amazing | Cara | |
| 2019 | I Got the Hook-Up 2 | Miss Peaches | |
| 2019 | Swag Inc. | Natasha | |
| 2022 | The Millennial | Lola Etienne | |
| The Stepmother | Zoey | ||
| The Stepmother 2 | Zoey | ||
| 2023 | The Assistant | Dr. Raven Fields | |
| You're Not Alone | Beverly | ||
| The Stepmother 3 | Zoey | ||
| Picture Me Dead | Kristen | ||
| 2025 | Run | TBA | Post—production |
| Year | Legacy | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | VH1 News Presents | Herself | Episode: "Hip Hop Videos: Sexploitation on the Set" |
| 2009 | Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami | Herself/Dash Employee | Recurring cast (season 1) |
| 2011-20 | Love & Hip Hop: New York | Herself | Supporting cast (season 2); main cast (seasons 3-5, 10) |
| 2013 | The Show with Vinny | Herself | Episode: "Erica Mena & Austin Mahone" |
| 2015 | CSI: Cyber | Brody's Girl | Episode: "CMND:/Crash" |
| 2016 | Bad Girls Club 16: Social Disruption | Herself | Reunion Co-host |
| 2017 | Bad Girls Club 17: East Meets West | Herself | Reunion Co-host |
| 2017 | Scared Famous | Herself | Contestant |
| Master of None | Nikki | Episode: "Thanksgiving" | |
| 2018 | Hustle in Brooklyn | Herself | Recurring cast |
| 2018-19 | Hip Hop Squares | Herself | Recurring guest |
| 2018-23 | Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta | Herself | Main cast (seasons 7, 10-11); supporting cast (season 9) |
| 2021 | Sacrifice | Bella | Episode: "Mama Didn't Lie" |
| 2022 | Hush | Gina | Main cast (season 1) |
| 2024 | Joseline’s Cabaret | Herself | Guest |
| 2025 | Two Ways With Erica Mena | Herself | Own show |
| 2004 | "Lean Back" | Terror Squad |
| "Ain't Nothing Wrong" | Houston (singer) | |
| 2005 | "Candy Shop" | 50 Cent featuringOlivia |
| "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" | Chris Brown | |
| "Tell Me" | Bobby Valentino |
