Erica Mena has offered a public apology to Nicki Minaj, claiming she was manipulated into speaking negatively about the rap icon by their mutual ex, Safaree Samuels.
Mena addressed the issue during a recent appearance on the Dumb Blonde podcast, where she reflected on her past actions.
“I owe her the biggest apology,” the 37-year-old began before admitting that she allowed the Love & Hip Hop New York talent to influence her perception of Minaj. “It’s funny how life comes full circle. Because the same thing he did to her, he’s doing to me years later.”
Mena revealed that Safaree often badmouthed Minaj in her presence, even going as far as showing her videos of the Pink Friday 2 rapstress “reacting” to various incidents. At the time, Mena says she didn’t question his motives, just to later discover that Safaree was allegedly attempting to “ruin” Minaj’s career and take credit for her success.
“I owe this woman an apology,” the mom-of-two admitted. “I sat here and allowed him to talk about her to me. From that came me saying things, defending him, and speaking about her in a tacky way. At the end of the day, I didn’t know the truth.”
She added, “Everything she has ever said about him is true.”
Safaree Samuels and Erica Mena Samuels attend the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Mena also reflected on her tumultuous relationship with Safaree, with whom she shares a daughter and a son. Back in July, she expressed regret about their relationship, writing on Instagram, “I will FOREVER be embarrassed I gave sis these incredible beautiful babies. He don’t even talk or care about his seeds this much online or in real life.”
While Nicki Minaj has yet to respond directly to Mena’s apology, fans believe she alluded to the ongoing drama in an Instagram post. She wrote the cryptic message: “Sometimes you need to leave people dem alone,” with laughing emojis.
Mena’s revelation comes after years of tension, including past comments where she criticized Minaj’s music as “cartoony” and even accused her of imitating Lil’ Kim.
Take a look at Erica Mena’s apology above.
