Erica Mena

Erica Jasmin Mena (born November 8, 1987) is an American reality television personality, actress, author, and model. She first achieved public prominence as a video vixen in prominent hip-hop music videos before transitioning to reality television. Mena gained widespread recognition as a main cast member on the VH1 reality series Love & Hip Hop: New York and subsequently featured in Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, establishing a multi-faceted career across television, modeling, and digital media platforms.

Early Career and Modeling

Mena began her entertainment career in the mid-2000s after winning a print modeling contest. She rose to visibility as a video model, appearing in music videos for prominent hip-hop and R&B artists such as 50 Cent ("Candy Shop"), Terror Squad ("Lean Back"), Chris Brown, Fabolous, and Akon. Beyond music videos, she pursued commercial print modeling, working with various fashion brands and appearing in print publications. In 2009, she made recurring television appearances on the reality series Kourtney & Khloé Take Miami while employed at the Kardashian family’s DASH fashion boutique in Miami, Florida.

Reality Television and Acting

In 2011, Mena joined the cast of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: New York during its second season in a supporting role. Her screen presence led to her promotion to a main cast member for seasons three through five, becoming one of the franchise’s most prominent figures. After departing the series in 2015, she competed on VH1’s reality competition series Scared Famous in 2017. Mena later returned to the franchise as a main cast member on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta from 2018 to 2023. Alongside her reality television work, Mena pursued acting roles in television and film projects, including appearances in the series CSI: Cyber, Hush, and The Stepmother film series.

Online Presence and Publishing

In addition to her television work, Mena has authored two autobiographical books, Chronicles of a Confirmed Bachelorette and Underneath It All, sharing personal narratives and career insights. She maintains a significant digital presence across major social media platforms, including Instagram where she shares modeling photography, lifestyle updates, and promotional brand partnerships with millions of followers. Mena has also expanded into creator platforms, leveraging her digital reach to manage independent media channels.

Personal Life

Mena was born and raised in Newburgh, New York, and is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent. She was previously engaged to rapper and actor Bow Wow. In 2019, she married television personality and musician Safaree Samuels, with whom she shares two children; the marriage ended in divorce in 2022. Mena is a mother of three and resides in the United States.

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