Net Worth Ranker
What Is Erica Mena’s Net Worth?
Erica Mena, a multifaceted American personality known for her work as a model, singer, actress, and reality television star, has accumulated a net worth of $1 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to her diverse career endeavors across various entertainment platforms.
Erica Mena’s Career and Earnings
Mena’s rise to prominence is significantly linked to her appearances on VH1’s reality shows, namely “Love & Hip Hop: New York” (seasons 2011–2015 and 2019–2020) and “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” (seasons 2018 and 2020-present). While specific episode-by-episode earnings from these shows remain undisclosed, reality television appearances generally provide a steady income stream, especially for main cast members. It’s reasonable to assume that Mena’s recurring role on these popular series contributed substantially to her overall income.
Beyond reality TV, Mena has ventured into acting, securing roles in films such as “Almost Amazing” (2017), “I Got the Hook Up 2” (2019), “Swag Inc.” (2019), and “The Millennial” (2020). She also made appearances in television series like “CSI: Cyber” (2015) and “Master of None” (2017). These acting roles, while not necessarily leading to blockbuster salaries, added to her overall professional income. Compensation for acting roles varies widely based on factors such as the size of the role, the budget of the production, and the actor’s experience and negotiating power. While precise figures for Mena’s acting earnings are not publicly available, they would have contributed incrementally to her net worth.
Mena’s career also includes appearances in music videos by notable artists like Fat Joe, Chris Brown, and Akon. Compensation for music video appearances can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the artist’s popularity, the video’s budget, and the role’s prominence. These appearances, though likely smaller income sources compared to her reality TV and acting roles, further diversified her earnings.
In 2013, Mena expanded her creative portfolio by publishing two books, “Underneath it All” and “Chronicles of a Confirmed Bachelorette,” and releasing a single titled “Where Do I Go.” As an author and recording artist, Mena explored new avenues for revenue generation. While the commercial success of these ventures is not extensively documented, they likely contributed modestly to her overall income, particularly through royalties and sales.
Mena’s early career involved modeling for various men’s magazines, including “King,” “XXL,” and “Maxim.” Additionally, she participated in modeling campaigns for brands like Tommy Hilfiger, L’Oreal, and Roca Wear. Modeling income can vary significantly based on the brand, the scope of the campaign, and the model’s experience and reputation. High-profile campaigns for well-known brands like Tommy Hilfiger and L’Oreal would have commanded higher fees compared to magazine spreads. These modeling endeavors likely played a crucial role in establishing her initial financial foundation.
In 2009, Mena appeared in several episodes of the E! reality show “Kourtney & Kim Take Miami” while working for Dash, a store owned by the Kardashian sisters. While the exact details of her compensation for this role are not publicly known, it’s likely that she received an hourly wage or a fixed fee per episode, typical for reality show employees. This early experience in reality television provided her with exposure and may have paved the way for her later, more prominent roles in the “Love & Hip Hop” franchise.
Key Events and Personal Life Impacting Erica Mena’s Net Worth
The third season of “Love and Hip Hop: New York” centered around Mena’s relationship with her manager, Rich Dollaz. While this relationship may have enhanced her visibility and marketability, it is challenging to quantify its direct financial impact. Similarly, her subsequent relationship with singer Cyn Santana, which unfolded during season four, brought personal attention but did not necessarily translate directly into financial gains.
In 2014, Mena became engaged to rapper Bow Wow; however, they called off the engagement in late 2015. While engagements and relationships can sometimes lead to financial benefits or shared assets, the dissolution of this engagement likely did not have a significant impact on Mena’s overall net worth.
Mena’s marriage to rapper Safaree Samuels on October 7, 2019, marked a significant personal milestone. The couple welcomed daughter Safire on February 3, 2020, and son Legend on June 28, 2021. However, a month before Legend’s birth, Mena filed for divorce from Samuels. Divorce proceedings can often have a substantial impact on net worth, particularly if there are significant assets to be divided. The specific details of Mena and Samuels’ divorce settlement are not publicly available, so it is difficult to determine the exact financial impact of the divorce on Mena’s net worth. However, it is plausible that the divorce resulted in some asset division or spousal support arrangements.
Erica also has a son named King (born March 1, 2007) with rapper/video director Raul Conde. Child support obligations can influence an individual’s net worth, either positively or negatively. It is unknown whether Mena receives or provides child support for King. Her real estate investments, which she has undertaken with and without Safaree, would have likely altered her net worth.
Real Estate Investments
In July 2020, Erica Mena and Safaree Samuels jointly purchased a home in Fayetteville, Georgia, for $848,000. This real estate acquisition represented a significant investment and added to their combined asset portfolio. The property’s value and any subsequent appreciation would have directly impacted their net worth.
In June 2022, Mena and Samuels listed the Fayetteville home for sale, ultimately selling it a week later for their exact asking price of $1.3 million. This sale resulted in a profit of $452,000 before considering selling costs and capital gains taxes. This profit contributed positively to their respective net worths. The specifics of how this profit was divided between Mena and Samuels following their divorce are not publicly available, so it is challenging to determine the precise impact on Mena’s individual net worth.
