‘Love & Hip Hop’ Star Erica Mena Finally Apologizes for Calling Her Co-Star a Racist Slur 

Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star Erica Mena has issued a public apology for using a racially insensitive insult against her castmate that eventually got her fired from the VH1 series.

In a statement to Page Six, the reality star said, “I deeply regret my insensitive comment and want to humbly apologize to anybody I hurt or offended by my thoughtlessness.”

While she admitted that her “choice of words was wrong,” she also maintained that it was not a “racially driven” attack.

“I am committed to listening to the voices of those affected and will work toward making amends,” her statement continued. “As a woman of color and the mother of two black children, I want to make it clear that my use of that word was not in any way racially driven.”

The heated exchange occurred during a recent episode titled “Mena-ce to Society” that aired Sept. 2. In the episode, Mena sat down with her fellow castmate Spice, a famous dancehall artist, though their conversation quickly took an ugly turn.

After Spice claimed that Mena’s oldest son, King, “hates” his mom, Mena flipped a table over and began screaming at her.

“You monkey, you f–king blue monkey!” she yelled.

Many fans took to Twitter to condemn Mena’s actions.

Erica Mena should have been fired the day that happened. Them folks don’t care for real.

— kennedy. (@HelloKennedi) September 2, 2023

The franchise swiftly cut ties with Mena after the backlash began. Though, some fans pointed out that VH1 sat on the footage and failed to take action until the episode aired.

“The irony is, VH1/Viacom/Mona Scott saw this clip months ago and still decided to air it. It should’ve never seen the light of day and Erica Mena should’ve been let go immediately when it happened. They’re only doing this because of the outrage/backlash,” one fan noted, referring to the show’s executive producer Mona Scott-Young.

Mena is still set to appear in the final three episodes of the season which will reportedly show the aftermath of their heated confrontation, but she will not be returning for the next season of the VH1 series.

“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,” the franchise announced in a statement shared to Instagram Sept. 2.

Spice later addressed on the altercation with Forbes, saying, “I know what I signed up for so I’m good… I’m in a better space right now. It comes with it. You know what the franchise is about, so it’s okay for me. “

Mena has been a part of the franchise since she got her start in the original Love & Hip Hop in 2011.

Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on MTV.