‘L&HH’ Cast And Fans Split On Erica Mena’s Firing For Calling Spice A Racial Slur
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After the airing of last week’s episode of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, many fans immediately called for the termination of Erica Mena from the show due to the Nuyorican referring to co-star Spice as a “blue monkey” during an intense argument. While the Jamaican dancehall artist was also called out for bringing up Mena’s son during the confrontation (telling Mena that her eldest son doesn’t like her), Mena caught more slack for her words due to the historical context of comparing Black people, especially those of darker complexions, to monkeys, qualifying it as a racial slur.
Show creator Mona Scott-Young soon alerted fans of Mena’s termination, taking to Instagram Saturday (Sept. 2) with a one-word message: “Handled.”
The official Love & Hip Hop Instagram page also released a statement on the matter:
“The Love & Hip Hop franchise has never shied away from hard conversations in our community,” the statement began. “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.”
While many observers of the drama support the move, current and past cast members from various Love & Hip Hop franchises have shared their two cents, with some believing the punishment to be too extreme.
In addition to commenting “Sad” on Scott-Young’s message, Stevie J also took to Hollywood Unlocked’s Instagram page and commented “Not Fair” beneath a post sharing the news.
Lil Scrappy also questioned the firing, calling it a “bozo” move on behalf of production because, according to the rapper and reality star, they set up confrontation between cast members for ratings.
Comedian and former Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood guest star Jess Hilarious also spoke out against producers letting Mena go, arguing that Mena’s insult may have been a dig at Spice’s looks, but wasn’t necessarily racist or colorist.
“I don’t think Erica Mena was using it as a racial slur. Maybe Spice look like a monkey to her,” Jess argued before adding that if her son were brought up in an argument, “whatever the f**k you look like, I’mma call you that.”
She also argued that the timing of her firing feels disingenuous, as the scene was filmed months ago and Mena was only let go once the public saw the fight and cried foul. For the record, it is typical for reality show producers to allow for drama to play out on-screen before addressing it with the public.
While Mena has found support in a few of her fellow L&HH alums, many viewers appear to be in support of her removal from the show.
“Calling a black person a monkey is racist. A black person calling a black person a monkey is self hate. Out of all the derogatory names the 1st thing to come to your mind is a racist slur.. y’all trippin,” wrote one observer beneath Jess Hilarious’ video, with another adding, “Wait so all [Spice] said was her son don’t like her?? That’s not even speaking on the kid, y’all wild af making it seem like she really spoke on her kid(s)….. Now I think Erica even more wrong.”
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