Erica Jasmin Mena (born November 8, 1987) is an American television personality and former model/video vixen. She is best known for her appearances on Love & Hip Hop: New York.[3][4]
Erica Mena | |
|---|---|
| Born | Erica Jasmin Mena[1] November 8, 1987 New York City, U.S. |
| Other names | Erica Mena Samuels[2] |
| Occupation(s) | Television personality, actress, recording artist |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Dance-pop |
Career
Mena first gained notoriety as a model[5] and "video vixen", through her appearances in various hip hop music videos, for artists such as Chris Brown, Fabolous, Akon and Fat Joe.[6][7] She became known to a larger audience through her reality television appearances, including Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami and Love & Hip Hop: New York, the original installment of the Love & Hip Hop franchise.[8] She has also embarked on a career as an author, releasing the autobiographies Chronicles of a Confirmed Bachelorette[9] and Underneath It All.[10] In August 2017, it was announced that Mena would compete in the first season of VH1's Scared Famous, which premiered on October 23, 2017. In 2018, Erica joined the cast of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta for the seventh season.[11] In 2019, she returned to Love & Hip Hop: New York for its tenth anniversary season.
Personal life
Mena is openly bisexual.[12] Mena is of Puerto Rican and Dominican ancestry. She graduated from Newburgh free Academy in Newburgh NY [13] She has a son, King Javien Conde (born March 1, 2007) with video director and rapper Raul Conde, a member of Fat Joe's Terror Squad.[14]
Mena was previously engaged to Bow Wow. On December 24, 2018, Mena became engaged to rapper and television personality Safaree Samuels. On October 1, 2019, she announced that she and Samuels were expecting their first child together.[15] On October 7, 2019, she and Samuels married at the Legacy Castle in New 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]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" | Love interest | Chris Brown music video |
| 2009–2010 | Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami | Herself | |
| 2011–2015, 2019–20 | Love & Hip Hop: New York | Supporting Cast (Season 2) Main Cast (Seasons 3–5, 10) | |
| 2013 | The Show with Vinny | Guest | |
| The Trisha Goddard Show | |||
| Black Ink Crew: New York | Herself | ||
| 2014 | 106 & Park | ||
| CSI: Cyber | Brody's Girl | ||
| 2016–2017 | Bad Girls Club | Herself | Reunion Co-Host |
| 2017 | Wild 'n Out | Guest Star | |
| Master of None | Nikki | Episode: "Thanksgiving" | |
| Bad Girls Club: East Meets West | Herself | Co-Host | |
| Scared Famous | Contestant | ||
| 2018, 2020-present | Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta | Main Cast (Season 7, 10-present) Supporting Cast (Season 9) | |
| 2021 | Love & Hip Hop: Secrets Unlocked |
References
- ^ "'Love & Hip Hop' Star, Boyfriend Arrested In Johns Creek". 2018-10-17.
- ^ "Erica Mena Samuels (@iamerica_mena) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
- ^ Design&Trend (1 December 2015). "Erica Mena Goes Off On Rich Dollaz, Says He's Living A Double-Lifestyle: 'I Have So Much Proof'". Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ^ Longeretta, Emily (22 September 2014). "Erica Mena".
- ^ "Erica Mena & Bow Wow are Over: "He's an Abuser"".
- ^ "Video Vixens: A Look at Kimbella and Erica Mena's Music Video Features". 2012-01-17.
- ^ "Interview: Erica Mena Talks "Love & Hip Hop," Video Vixens, and Her Future in Music".
- ^ "Shad Moss and His Baby's Mother Say Erica Mena Is a Liar".
- ^ Mena, Erica (1 November 2013). Chronicles of a Confirmed Bachelorette. La' Femme Fatale' Publishing. ISBN 9780991020300 – via Google Books.
- ^ Mena, Erica (1 April 2013). Underneath It All. La' Femme Fatale' Productions. ISBN 9780988861565 – via Google Books.
- ^ Bellino, Damian. "VH1 Announces Scared Famous Starring Tiffany Pollard, Drita D'Avanzo, Alaska Thunderf-uck, and More!". VH1 News. Viacom International. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
- ^ "Q&A: Erica Mena Dismisses Rumors That She's Bisexual for Male Attention, Talks Coming Out to Her Family". 2013-10-30.
- ^ "Erica Mena – IMDB". IMDB. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH7Ya1jzNro
- ^ "Erica Mena Pregnant With Safaree Samuels Baby". pagesix.com. October 1, 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Erica Mena and Safaree: We're Married!". Tmz.com. October 8, 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Love & Hip Hop: New York's Safaree Samuels and Erica Mena Welcome First Daughter Together".
- ^ "Love & Hip Hop's Safaree Samuels, Wife Erica Mena Expecting Baby No. 2: 'Time to Get Neutered'". People.com. May 4, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Erica Mena Files to Divorce Safaree".
- ^ "Safaree Samuels Welcomes Baby No. 2 with Estranged Wife Erica Mena amid Divorce: 'Another Me'". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2021-06-29.