Erica Mena axed from 'Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta' over racial remarks against Spice
Published:Saturday | September 2, 2023 | 12:46 PM
Reality television personality Erica Mena will no longer appear on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta over racial comments she made in an argument with dancehall star and fellow castmate Spice during an episode that aired on Tuesday.
In the episode, titled 'Mena-ce to Society', a sit down between the former pals, arranged by Shekinah Anderson, turned explosive as Erica and Spice rehashed past issues.
During the confrontation, Spice claimed that Mena's oldest son hated her.
In response, Mena said Spice should have died during her medical emergency and called her a racial slur.
Mena called Spice "a blue monkey", even imitating the sound a monkey makes.
The term 'monkey' has long held racial connotations for those of African descent.
The episode sparked wide-ranging dialogue.
While some had difficulties with Spice's mention of Mena's son, many decried Mena's use of the term and called for sanctions.
Love and Hip Hop issued a response on Saturday.
"The Love & Hip Hop franchise has never shied away from hard conversations in our community," read a statement posted to the franchise's official Instagram page just an hour ago.
Mena is set to appear in the last three episodes of season 11 but will not return for the next season.
"Working hand-in-hand with our partners, viewers will see the impact of Erica Mena's remarks play out in the final three episodes of the season. Effective immediately, she will not appear in the next season of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta," said the release.
On her personal page, Mona Scott-Young, creator and executive producer of the Love and Hip Hop franchise, simply wrote: "handled".
Mena has not yet responded to the announcement.
In an interview with Forbes post-episode, Spice did not have harsh words for Mena and told Rosemarie Miller that she "knew what she signed up for" appearing on the show and was in "a better space right now".
"Someone's opinion of me doesn't value who I am. Not because someone thinks something of me that doesn't mean that's who I am," said Spice.
Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta is the second installment of the Love and Hip Hop reality franchise.
It premiered on June 18, 2012, on VH1.
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