‘Love & Hip Hop’ wasn’t the first time Erica Mena appeared on our screens. Her entertainment career launched as a video vixen in visuals for 2000s hits like ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.’ These days, the 38-year-old has been steadily stacking her acting resume. From supporting roles to a three-movie leading lady, here are five facts to know about Erica Mena—the woman, the video vixen, the mother, reality TV star, and now actress.
RELATED: From “In Love” To “I’m Done”: The Relationship Tea History Between Erica Mena & Safaree
1. Erica Mena’s 2000s Era Was Busy
Video vixen royalty? We’ll let the comments debate that, but what we can’t deny is that Erica Mena had her foot on necks, starting as a teen. She’s previously said she worked in the hip hop music video scene between the ages of 16 and 21. From ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop’ to ‘Lean Back,’ ‘Candy Shop’ and ‘Yo (Excuse Me Miss),’ Erica was the definition of booked and busy! Some of her other credits include: ‘I’m So Paid’ by Akon and ‘Tell Me’ by Bobby Valentino.
@vixenhotties Yo (Excuse Me Miss), 2005 #ericamena #vixenhotties #videovixens #videogirls #chrisbrown #excusememiss #throwback #early2000s #vixens #vixen
2. Mena Was On ‘Kourtney & Khloé Take Miami’
After her video vixen era, she began her journey into reality TV. She cemented her name after appearances in the ‘Love & Hip Hop’ franchise. Over the years, she showcased her life and her romantic relationships with Rich Dollaz, Cyn Santana, and her ex-husband, Safaree Samuels. She last appeared on ‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’ in 2023, when she was reportedly fired for using a racial slur on the show.
But before making her ‘LHH’ stamp, she spiced things up on ‘Kourtney & Khloé Take Miami.’ She worked as a ‘Dash Doll,’ an employee at the sisters’ boutique, during the spin-off’s first season. Mena has previously said it was her first job after becoming a mom to her first son, King. She worked with them for a year, despite the show airing issues of tardiness and inappropriate store behavior.
Erica Mena told VladTV in 2014 that the Kardashians never fired her from the store. Also, Mena said they had remained close friends. Additionally, Mena explained that her issues at the store were symptoms of new motherhood and an abusive relationship.
3. Erica Mena Has A Growing Actor’s Resume
Music videos and reality TV behind her, Mena has been beefing up her acting resume with character roles. She starred in films while still on ‘LHH.’ For example, she was in the 2017 movie, ‘Almost Amazing.’
From there, she landed other speaking roles. There was ‘I Got the Hook-Up 2’ and ‘Swag Inc.’ By 2022, she had starred in three other releases, including ‘The Millennial,’ and ‘The Stepmother,’ part one and two. Those roles elevated her to a main star in Tubi’s original thriller genre.
The following year, she appeared in four other roles, ‘Stepmother 3,’ ‘The Assistant,’ ‘You’re Not Alone’ and ‘Picture Me Dead.’ And ‘Stepmother 4’ is on its way, she announced last September. In May 2017, she had fans rolling with her appearance on season two of Netflix’s ‘Master of None.’
I’m thankful for this classic scene, each and every year 😂 pic.twitter.com/3BmacpXcNP
— Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) November 27, 2025
