Main cast members
Original cast members
- Chrissy Lampkin (Seasons 1–2, 10) is the longtime girlfriend of rapper Jim Jones. She was born in Harlem to Afro-Cuban parents. She has been in a relationship with Jim since 2004, after meeting him in Miami. Chrissy first appeared in the 2006 presentation tape for Keeping Up the Joneses, a proposed doco-series that would attempt to chronicle Jim's everyday life, as well as the behind-the-scenes difficulties in actually making the documentary. While in development with VH1 under the title Diary of a Hip Hop Girlfriend, the show's focus shifted to Chrissy and her circle of friends, forming the basis of what would eventually become Love & Hip Hop. The first season of Love & Hip Hop chronicles her struggles with Jim's commitment issues, and her strained relationship with his mother, Nancy. Midway through the season, Chrissy proposes to Jim and the two become engaged. Her feud with Jim's long-term manager Yandy becomes the focus of season two, culminating in a violent showdown between the two women at a Miami nightclub. After this incident, Chrissy's relationship with the show's producers grew tense, with her refusing to sit down with executive producer Mona Scott-Young for the season's reunion special, accusing her of manipulating storylines for dramatic effect. [1] On September 7, 2012, VH1 announced that Jim and Chrissy would leave Love & Hip Hop to star in their own spin-off show Chrissy & Mr. Jones , which premiered on September 24, 2012. The series chronicled the couple's relationship struggles, as well as Chrissy's forays into fashion and interior design. Its series finale aired on December 16, 2013, after two seasons. After a six-year hiatus from the franchise, and several years spent living in Miami, Chrissy returned to New York and rejoined the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York for its tenth season. During the season, she reignites her feud with Yandy after making peace with Kimbella.
- Emily Bustamante (Seasons 1–2), also known as Emily B, is a stylist and fashion designer. She was born in New York City to Puerto Rican-Dominican parents, and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. [2] She has been in an on-again, off-again relationship with the rapper Fabolous since 2001 and is the mother of his son, Johan Jackson, born 2008. She also has a daughter, Taina Williams, born 1998, from a previous relationship. The first two seasons of Love & Hip Hop chronicle her struggles with Fabolous' infidelity and his refusal to claim her in public. [3] Emily did not return to the show after the second season's reunion special, instead going on to appear in a supporting role in the spin-off Chrissy & Mr. Jones for two seasons. In 2015, Emily gave birth to Fab's second son, Jonas Jackson. In March 2018, the couple made headlines after a violent incident occurred in which Fab allegedly knocked out her two front teeth. [4] In 2019, Emily was reportedly in talks to appear with the other original cast members for season ten of Love & Hip Hop: New York, however she ultimately did not appear. [5]
- Olivia Longott (Seasons 1–2, supporting cast member in seasons 3, 10) is a R&B singer-songwriter. She was born in Brooklyn, New York to a Jamaican mother and Indian-Cuban father. She rose to fame as the "First Lady" of G-Unit, as the first female signed to G-Unit Records. The first two seasons of Love & Hip Hop chronicle her struggles to comeback in the music industry after a series of career misfires. As the show aired, Olivia was publicly critical of her portrayal, most notably regarding a storyline involving her relationship with her mother. [6] Subsequently, her role was diminished significantly, returning only as a supporting cast member in season three. During the season, she becomes caught up in the relationship drama between her manager Rich Dollaz, and his new artist Erica Mena. After a seven-year hiatus, Olivia returned to the show as a supporting cast member in season ten, in which she accuses Rich of stealing song royalties from her. [7]
- Somaya Reece (Seasons 1–2, supporting cast member in season 10), born Ginie Castro, is a Salvadoran-Puerto Rican artist, originally from South Central, Los Angeles. She endured a rough childhood, including an abusive relationship with a teenage boyfriend, and a stint in a gang where she was stabbed and shot two times. [8] She rose to fame as an urban model and through her relationship with rapper Joe Budden, who she dated in 2009. [9] [10] [11] The first season of Love & Hip Hop chronicles her move to New York City and her struggles to kickstart her music career. During the season, she ignites a feud with Chrissy after pursuing Jim for a musical collaboration, and with her manager Maurice gets into a war of words with Olivia and her manager Rich. In season two, Somaya was phased gradually out of the show, with the finale showing her packing her bags and moving back to Los Angeles. During the season's reunion special, she confronts series creator Mona Scott-Young over having her storyline cut out, memorably calling her a "bitch". [12] Somaya then made uncredited cameo appearances in the first season of the spin-off Chrissy & Mr. Jones , where she is seen attending Chrissy, Emily and Talia's fashion show, and in season two of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood , where she is seen attending Nikki, Princess and Milan's fashion event. Somaya officially returned to the franchise in the special Love & Hip Hop New York: Dirty Little Secrets to discuss her time on the show, the only original cast member to do so. She reportedly filmed scenes with her then-girlfriend Lady Luck for the show's eighth season, however their scenes never made it to air. [13] After an eight-year hiatus, Somaya returned to Love & Hip Hop: New York as a supporting cast member in season ten. [14]
Season 2 additions
- Kimbella James (née Vanderhee), (Seasons 2, 7, 9–10, guest star in seasons 3, 5) is a biracial urban model and video vixen, originally from Miami, Florida. She has been in an on-again, off-again relationship with Juelz Santana since 2009 and is the mother of his son, Juelz Santana James, born 2010. She also has a son, Leandro, born 2002, from a previous relationship. Kimbella joins the main cast of Love & Hip Hop from season two. In the premiere episode, she admits to having sex with Fabolous while Emily was pregnant with his child, igniting a violent altercation with Emily's friend Chrissy. Later in the season, she gets into an ugly brawl with Erica Mena, stemming from their modelling days together. After the season's reunion special, Kimbella quit the series, after revealing that she is pregnant with Juelz' second child. She gave birth to Bella Monroe James in 2012. Kimbella returns as Yandy's friend and confidante in guest appearances during seasons three and five, and as a bridesmaid at Yandy and Mendeecees' wedding in the special Love & Hip Hop Live: The Wedding. She rejoins the main cast in season seven, which chronicles her relationship with Juelz as he embarks on a career comeback. She quit the show for a second time while filming season eight after falling out with Yandy, [15] appearing only in the specials Love & Hip Hop New York: Dirty Little Secrets and Love & Hip Hop: The Love Edition. Kimbella and Juelz rejoin the cast together in season nine, which chronicles their struggles as a couple, after Juelz faces jail time for bringing a loaded gun to Newark Airport. During the season, she reveals that Juelz has struggled with opiate addiction for many years. Later, he proposes and the two become engaged. They marry in the season's finale. During the reunion, Kimbella reveals that she is pregnant with the couple's third child (and Kimbella's fourth). She gave birth to Santana James in 2019. Kimbella returns in season ten, which chronicles her attempts to adjust to life while Juelz is incarcerated, amid ongoing tensions with Yandy after her reconciliation with Chrissy.
- Yandy Smith-Harris (Seasons 2–10, cameo appearance in season 1) is an entertainment manager and entrepreneur. She was born in Harlem. In 2004, she graduated from Howard University with a bachelor's degree in business and interned at Violator under the mentorship of Mona Scott-Young. In 2005, Yandy met Jim Jones on a private jet charted by Russell Simmons, and left Violator to manage him full-time. In 2006, Jim approached VH1 executives to make a reality show about him, leading to the filming of an 11-minute presentation tape, Keeping Up with Joneses, produced by Stefan Springman and Toby Barraud of Eastern TV. VH1 were unsure if audiences would be invested in the concept full-time, and Yandy approached Mona to retool the show, and the concept was tweaked to include Jim's girlfriend Chrissy and her circle of friends, becoming what would be later known as Love & Hip Hop . Yandy first appears briefly in an uncredited cameo at Chrissy's proposal party in the first season, before joining the main cast from season two. The season chronicles her struggles while working as Jim's manager and the demise of their professional relationship, culminating in a violent brawl with Chrissy at a Miami nightclub. In July 2012, Yandy gave birth to her first child, Omere Harris. Season three introduces Mendeecees Harris, her child's father and on-again, off-again boyfriend since 2007, [16] and chronicles their engagement and subsequent wedding plans, which are interrupted when Mendeecees is forced to turn himself into custody for multiple drug and trafficking charges. The couple are reunited in season five when Mendeecees is released on bail, and Yandy gives birth to their second child, Skylar Smith Harris, in 2015. On May 25, 2015, Yandy and Mendeecees were married live on VH1 as part of the special Love & Hip Hop Live: The Wedding. [17] While filming the show's sixth season, Mendeecees is sentenced to eight years in jail and turns himself in. Season seven chronicles Yandy's strained relationships with Mendeecees' baby mamas, Samantha and Erika, which explodes into an all-out war, as the women fight for custody for Mendeecees' eldest children, Lil Mendeecees and Aasim. During the season, Yandy admits that her televised wedding was "symbolic" and that her marriage to Mendeecees is not legal. Later seasons chronicle Yandy's struggles to repair her broken friendship with Kimbella, having had a falling out behind the scenes in season eight. Their feud intensifies in season nine, when Yandy begins the process of adopting a foster child, Infinity, and Kimbella questions her motivations for doing so, claiming it was all for "clout". In season ten, Yandy and Kimbella are once again at each other's throats, after Yandy's nemesis Chrissy returns to New York and reconciles with Kimbella. Later, she prepares for Mendeecees' upcoming release from federal prison. After Mendeecees' release in January 2020, the couple moved to Atlanta and joined the cast of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta . Yandy also appears in VH1 Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition , as a guest star in the spin-off show Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies and in the specials 40 Greatest Love & Hip Hop Moments, Dirty Little Secrets, The Love Edition, Love & Hip Hop Awards: Most Certified and 40 Greatest Love & Hip Hop Moments: The Reboot.
Season 3 additions
- Erica Mena (Seasons 3–5, 10, supporting cast member in season 2) is a former video vixen, urban model and aspiring singer, known through her appearances in various hip hop music videos, for artists such as Chris Brown, Fabolous, Akon and Fat Joe. She was born in The Bronx to a Puerto Rican mother and Dominican father. She has a son, King Conde, born 2007, with video director and rapper Raul Conde, a member of Fat Joe's Terror Squad. [18] In 2009, she appeared as a troublemaking Dash employee on the E! reality show Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami . Erica first appears in a supporting role in season two as a rival of Kimbella's, which stems from their days competing for modelling jobs. In her first episode, the two get into a violent altercation in which champagne glasses are thrown, causing both to bleed. This would lead to stronger security measures for all Love & Hip Hop shows from then on, including hiring personal bodyguards for the cast and enforcing a total ban on glass and metal silverware on set. Erica is promoted to the main cast in season three, which focuses on her turbulent relationship with manager Rich Dollaz and his struggles to kickstart her music career. In season four, Erica explores her bisexuality, [19] entering a relationship with model Cyn Santana. Their relationship falls apart in season five and Erica finds love with rapper Bow Wow, who later proposes. During the season's reunion special, Erica refused to film onstage with the other cast members, announcing that the season would be her last. Just months after she quit the series, Erica and Bow Wow called off their engagement. Erica returned to the franchise two years later in 2017, first appearing in the special Love & Hip Hop New York: Dirty Little Secrets, and then joining the cast of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta , having relocating to Atlanta to kickstart her music career. On December 24, 2018, Erica announced her engagement to fellow Love & Hip Hop cast member Safaree Samuels.[ citation needed ] The two met while appearing as contestants on VH1 's Scared Famous , where they tied at third place. Although she does not appear onscreen (and any images of her are blurred), her relationship with Safaree becomes a source of conflict with the show's cast towards the end of season nine. In 2019, Erica returned to Love & Hip Hop: New York for its tenth anniversary season, after announcing that her and Safaree are expecting their first child together. The season chronicles their wedding and subsequent marriage struggles, as well as her unresolved issues with exes Rich and Cyn Santana. Erica also appears in the special 40 Greatest Love & Hip Hop Moments: The Reboot.
- Jen Bayer (Season 3), known as Jen "the Pen", is a radio personality and hip hop music blogger. She was born on Staten Island. In 2005, she appeared on the BET reality show Ultimate Hustler , hosted by Damon Dash, who coined her nickname. She has been in a relationship with rapper Consequence since 2008 and is the mother of his son, Caiden Mills, born 2011. Season three chronicles her struggles as a Christian in an interfaith relationship with a Muslim. During the season, she sparked controversy and criticism for saying "I'm white, honey, it will get done" during an argument with fellow cast member Raqi. [20] [21]
- Raqi Thunda (Season 3) is a radio personality and self-proclaimed "hip hop confidante". She was born in Miami, Florida to a Puerto Rican and Algerian father, who was also Muslim. She is introduced as Joe Budden's close friend, however they have a dramatic falling out early into the season. She later sparks violent feuds with Tahiry, Jen and Rashidah.
- Winter Ramos (Season 3, guest star in Season 2), is an author and former groupie, known for her hip hop exposé, Game Over: My Love for Hip-Hop. She was born in Brooklyn to Puerto Rican parents. She worked for many years in the industry as a wardrobe stylist and executive assistant to rappers such as Fabolous. She first appears as a guest star in season two, helping Emily through her relationship struggles with Fab, before joining the main cast in season three. Her storyline revolves around her feud with rapper Lore'l, who has a problem with what Winter wrote about her in her book. Winter was phased gradually out of the show during the season, making a brief appearance at the season's reunion special, where she reveals she is pregnant. Winter gave birth to a daughter, Summer Marie, in 2013.
- Rashidah Ali (Season 3, supporting cast member in seasons 5–6, guest star in season 4), also credited as Rah Ali, is a socialite, entrepreneur and self-professed celebrity "stiletto expert". She was born in The Bronx and raised Muslim. Her "high-end" shoe boutiques in New York and Atlanta have been featured on the reality shows Keeping Up with the Kardashians , The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Basketball Wives . [22] Rah joins the cast in season three, which chronicles her legal issues, including being charged for slashing a bouncer's face with a razor blade. She also reveals she had sex with Yandy's boyfriend Mendeecees years earlier, sparking a rivalry between the two women. At the season's reunion, she announces her engagement to her long-term boyfriend, a music executive. Rah was demoted after the season's poor reception, returning as a guest star in season four, which chronicles the breakdown of her friendship with Tahiry as she plans her wedding. She begins appearing in a supporting capacity towards the end of season five, before taking on a larger role again in season six, where she appears as Remy Ma's friend and confidante, and embarks on a management career, managing the careers of rapper rivals BBOD and Mariahlynn. Rah does not return to the show after the sixth season's reunion special, reportedly after falling out with Remy. [23] In 2016, she made a memorable appearance on the VH1 show Black Ink Crew , where she got into a brawl with Sky. [24] [25] Since 2017, Rah has garnered attention from tabloids and gossip blogs for her friendship with rapper Nicki Minaj, including being referenced in Nicki's diss track "No Frauds" and appearing in its music video, and getting into a much-publicised physical altercation with former co-star Cardi B at New York Fashion Week. [26]
- Tahiry Jose (Seasons 3–4, supporting cast member in season 10) is an urban model and video vixen. She was born in Harlem to Dominican parents. She came into the public eye due to her relationship with rapper Joe Budden, who she dated from 2005 until 2009. Season three chronicles Tahiry and Joe's lingering feelings for each other, amid violent feuds with Raqi and Joe's girlfriend Kaylin. During the season, she embarks on a music career, releasing a single, "Devil", with producer Cisco Rosado. She and Joe eventually rekindle their relationship, however break up towards the end of season four, after Tahiry rejects his marriage proposal. Tahiry left the show while filming season five, believing "it was time to leave on top". Any scenes she filmed never made it to air. [27] In 2017, she returned to the franchise in the specials Love & Hip Hop New York: Dirty Little Secrets and The Love Edition. Two years later, Tahiry returned to Love & Hip Hop: New York as a supporting cast member for the show's tenth anniversary season, where she reconnects with Joe, causing tensions between her and Cyn. Additionally, she experiences a breast cancer scare after doctors found a large mass on her breast. [28]
Season 4 additions
K. Michelle joins the cast in season four.
- Taranasha Wallace (Seasons 4–6, supporting cast member in season 7, cameo in season 8) is an aspiring actress, restaurant manager and etiquette coach, originally from Jayess, Mississippi. [29] She came into the public eye for her relationship with rapper Peter Gunz, who she began dating in 2000, and is the mother of his sons, Jamison Pankey, born in 2008, and Kaz Pankey, born in 2012. In season four, she discovers that Peter has married another woman, Amina, behind her back, leading to a violent showdown between the two women. The dramatic storyline, reminiscent of the love triangle featuring Mimi, Joseline and Stevie J on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta , generated the highest ratings in the show's history. In season five, Peter continues to go back and forth between Tara and Amina, leading to a controversial period in season six where the two women are pregnant at the same time. In 2016, Tara gave birth to her third son with Peter, Gunner Ethan Pankey. During season seven, Tara and Amina were phased out of the show, returning only as supporting cast members. She appears briefly in an uncredited cameo in season eight, where she is seen attending Rich's diabetes awareness event. Tara also appears in the specials The Wedding, Love & Hip Hop Awards: Most Certified (where she won in the Romance Gone Wrong category) and 40 Greatest Love & Hip Hop Moments: The Reboot, and in an episode of the web series VH1: UnVeiled.
- Erica Jean Newman (Season 4) is an aspiring actress. [30] She was born in The Bronx and raised in Queens to a Puerto Rican mother and African-American father. She came into the public eye after having a son, Brian Steven Robert Newman, with rapper Saigon in 2012. Erica joins the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York in season four, which chronicles her and Saigon's volatile relationship, and their struggles in raising their child, who is revealed to have developmental disabilities. Erica and Saigon did not return to the show after the season's reunion special, and later appeared together on an episode of OWN 's Iyanla: Fix My Life . [31]
- Amina Buddafly (Seasons 4–6, supporting cast member in season 7, guest star in season 10), real name Aminata Schmahl Pankey , is a Senegalese-German R&B singer-songwriter, originally from Hamburg, Germany. [32] She rose to fame as a former member of the girl group Black Buddafly, with her sisters Jazz and Sophie. She joins the cast in season four as the secret wife of rapper Peter Gunz. Their marriage is revealed dramatically early into the season, leading to a violent showdown between Amina and Tara, his girlfriend of 13 years, and the mother of his children. At the season's reunion, she reveals that she is pregnant with Peter's child. She would give birth to a daughter, Cori Pankey, in July 2014. Peter continues to go back and forth between her and Tara in season five, and after falling pregnant in season six, Amina decides to have an abortion. At the season's reunion, while Tara is pregnant with Peter's baby, she reveals she is also expecting another child with Peter. In 2016, Amina gave birth to her second daughter, Bronx Pankey. Amina returns in a minor supporting role towards the end of season seven, after moving to Los Angeles for a fresh start. During the season, she officially ends her relationship with Peter. Amina returns in a guest role in season ten, where she is seen attending Erica Mena's bachelorette party, and as a bridesmaid at her and Safaree's wedding ceremony. [33] Amina also appears in the specials Love & Hip Hop Awards: Most Certified (where she won in the Dropping Bombs and Romance Gone Wrong categories) and 40 Greatest Love & Hip Hop Moments: The Reboot.
- K. Michelle (Season 4), born Kimberly Michelle Pate, is a R&B/soul singer-songwriter, originally from Memphis, Tennessee. She first appeared in the first two seasons of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta , as one of its original six cast members. She joins the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York in season four, which chronicles her move from Atlanta to New York. Her appearance on the show served primarily to set up her own spin-off show, K. Michelle: My Life , [34] which premiered months later. As such, she appeared infrequently, interacted mainly with Yandy and Tara and did not attend the season's reunion. [34] Michelle also performed at Yandy and Mendecees' wedding on the live special Love & Hip Hop Live: The Wedding, before briefly rejoining the cast of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and later Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood after her spin-off ended after three seasons.
Season 5 additions
- Cyn Santana (Seasons 5, 9–10, supporting cast member in season 4), born Cynthia Pacheco, is an urban model, video vixen and aspiring singer. She was born in Washington Heights, Manhattan, to a Dominican father and Salvadorian mother. Cyn first appears in a supporting role in season four as Erica Mena's new girlfriend. The season chronicles their blossoming romance, her first relationship with a woman. Cyn is promoted to the main cast in season five, which chronicles her and Erica's dramatic and violent break up. During the season, she embarks on a music career, releasing the single "How Can You Leave?" with producer Cisco Rosado, in tribute to her late brother who committed suicide the year before. Later, she begins dating her longtime friend Ray Stacks, who she introduces at the season's reunion. After a four-year hiatus, Cyn returned as a main cast member in season nine with Joe Budden. Although they never interacted together previously on the show, the two began dating in 2016, and welcomed a son, Lexington, in December 2017. The season chronicles their relationship struggles, including her battle with postpartum depression. During the season, she reveals that she was molested by a female babysitter when she was five years old. [35] In the season finale, Joe proposes and the two become engaged. Cyn and Joe called off their engagement just months after the season's reunion special, allegedly due to Joe's infidelity. The tenth season chronicles Cyn's struggles to co-parent after the breakup, amid tensions with ex-girlfriend Erica when she starts playing matchmaker with Joe and his ex Tahiry.
- Chrissy Monroe (Season 5), born Christina Crastanda, is an Italian-American socialite and model agent, originally from Baltimore, Maryland. She is a former sex worker and madam, who claims Erica Mena used to work as an escort for her. [36] Season five chronicles her relationship struggles with rapper Chink Santana and her desires to have a family. The couple eventually break up.
Season 6 additions
- Cardi B (Seasons 6–7), born Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, is a rapper. [37] She was born in The Bronx to a Dominican father and Trinidadian mother. Her sister, Hennessy Carolina, also appears on the show. Cardi worked as a stripper for five years, and rose to fame as a social media personality for her video posts on Instagram and Vine. She joins the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York in season six. With her fiancé Tommy in prison, Cardi enjoys a casual fling with DJ Self, leading to a violent altercation with his girlfriend Yorma. Cardi and Self end up clashing later in the season, when he fails to take her rap career seriously. In season seven, Cardi's music career begins to take off after the release of her mixtapes, and her relationship with producer Swift turns sexual, leading to a heated confrontation with his girlfriend Asia. On December 30, 2016, she announced she was leaving the show to focus on her rap career. [38] Cardi is considered the show's breakout star [39] and catapulted to stardom shortly after her stint on the show, signing a record deal with Atlantic Records and releasing the Grammy Award-nominated single "Bodak Yellow", which reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. [40] In September 2017, she married Offset of the southern hip hop group Migos, and gave birth to a daughter, Kulture Kiari Cephus in July 2018. Cardi returned briefly to the franchise in the 2019 special Love & Hip Hop Awards: Most Certified, where she won the Most Quotable category.
- Miss Moe Money & Sexxy Lexxy (Season 6), born Monisha Brown and Alexis Smith Walker, are members of the rap duo BBOD (Bad Bitches on Deck). They are credited together in the opening credits and share green screen scenes in several episodes. The duo were born in Harlem, although Moe grew up in Pennsylvania. Lexxy's uncle and mentor is the rapper Treach. Season six chronicles their internal struggles as a duo as well as their violent rivalries with fellow rappers Bianca Bonnie and Mariahlynn.
- Mariahlynn Jacoby-Araujo (Seasons 6–8, supporting cast member in season 9, cameo in season 10) is a rapper. She was born in Jersey City to an Italian mother and Puerto Rican father. Her mother suffers from substance abuse issues, and she endured a rough childhood within the foster care system. In order to provide for her family, Mariahlynn worked as a stripper and a go-go dancer. She was discovered by DJ Self, who helped make her single, "Once Upon a Time (I Was a Hoe)", a radio hit. In season six, she sparks feuds with Moe and Lexxy, and tries to beat the "creep squad" at their own game, having casual flings with Cisco Rosado and Rich Dollaz. In season seven, she signs to Self's record label, Gwinin Entertainment, and finds herself caught in a contract war between Self and Cisco, as well as a violent rivalry with Major Galore, Self's only other female artist. In season eight, she briefly dates singer James R, which ends after she finds him in a compromising position at a video shoot with Sophia Body. During the season, her friendship with Bianca Bonnie puts her at odds with rapper Brittney Taylor, and DreamDoll, Gwinin's newest signee. Mariahlynn returns as a supporting cast member in season nine. After her mother faces legal issues once again, she battles to gain sole custody of her sister Icelynn. At the season's reunion, she professes her love for Rich, and reveals that the two have been in a secret, on-again-off-again relationship for eight years. Mariahlynn appears in an uncredited cameo in season ten, where she is seen in the background of Jonathan's fundraising event. [41] Mariahlynn also appears in the specials Joseline's Special Delivery, Dirty Little Secrets, The Love Edition, Love & Hip Hop Awards: Most Certified and 40 Greatest Love & Hip Hop Moments: The Reboot, and in the web series VH1: UnVeiled.
- Remy Ma (Seasons 6–10), born Reminisce Smith Mackie, is a Grammy Award-nominated rapper. She was born in The Bronx. Remy spent six and a half years in prison for shooting a former friend of hers over a financial dispute. She married rapper Papoose while she was incarcerated in 2008. She has a son, Jayson "Jace" Smith, born 2000, from a previous relationship. Remy makes her first franchise appearance in an episode of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta: After Party Live!, where she announces that she will be joining the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York . Season six chronicles her struggles to adjust to life after her release from prison. She and Papoose renew their vows in an official ceremony in the finale. Seasons seven and eight focus on the couple's struggles to conceive a child together, including a devastating ectopic pregnancy. In season nine, after undergoing intensive IVF treatments, she becomes pregnant with her first child with Papoose, who he nicknames "The Golden Child". In December 2018, Remy gave birth to a daughter, Reminisce MacKenzie Mackie. Season ten chronicles her struggles to release her highly anticipated album, 7 Winters and 6 Summers, while raising her newborn daughter, as well as her legal battle with former co-star Brittney Taylor, who accuses her of assault.[ citation needed ] Remy and Papoose also star in the holiday special Remy & Papoose: A Merry Mackie Holiday and the spin-off Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies . She also appears in an episode the specials Dirty Little Secrets, The Love Edition, Love & Hip Hop Awards: Most Certified and 40 Greatest Love & Hip Hop Moments: The Reboot.
Season 7 additions
- Bianca Bonnie (Seasons 7–8, supporting cast member in season 6), born Bianca Dupree, is a rapper. She was born in Harlem. She rose to fame at the age of 15 under the name Young B with the hit single, "Chicken Noodle Soup", which won her a Soul Train Music Award. Season six chronicles her return to the music industry after some personal struggles. She signs to Yandy's management and ends up winning Self's Gwinin Fest, beating out rapper rivals Moe and Lexxy and new ally Mariahlynn. She is promoted to main cast in season seven, where she pursues a romance with DJ Drewski, sparking a feud with his girlfriend Sky. In season eight, her violent antics threaten to derail her career when a rival from her past, rapper Brittney Taylor, comes to New York. After multiple altercations between the two girls, Yandy severs their business relationship for good. After a public fallout with Mariahlynn, Bianca confirmed on social media that the season would be her last. [42] In 2020, Bianca returned to reality television, appearing on We TV 's Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars 14 — Hip Hop Edition 2 with fellow Love & Hip Hop star Joseline Hernandez. [43]
- Felicia Pearson (Seasons 7–8), better known as Snoop, is an actress, originally from Baltimore, Maryland. Pearson was born a crack baby, and before discovering acting, endured a rough life in the foster care system, including working as a drug dealer and being convicted of second-degree murder by the age of 15. She is best known for her role in the HBO series The Wire . Season seven chronicles her attempts to launch her own record label Gorgeous Gangster Records, as well as her romantic struggles with girlfriend J. Adrienne, who identifies as heterosexual and "only gay for Snoop". The couple break up during the course of the season. Although still credited as lead in every episode in season eight, she appears as a background character, having little-to-no storyline of her own.
Season 8 additions
Juju (top), Anaís (center) and Lil' Mo (below) joined the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York in season eight.
- Juju Castaneda (Season 8–9, supporting cast member in seasons 7, 10, cameo in season 6) is an Afro-Latina author, entrepreneur and social media personality. She was born in Brooklyn, New York City [44] and raised in Miami, Florida [45] by Afro-Cuban immigrants. [46] [47] She came into the public eye through her ten-year relationship with rapper Cam'ron, who she began dating in 2007. The couple became engaged in 2013. [48] She is an graduate of Barry University, obtaining both a bachelor's degree in business and a master's degree in public administration. [49] [50] [51] [52] She is also a licensed real estate broker in Florida and the proprietor of a hair care and wig company, Candy Jewels Hair. [53] [54] Juju and Cam were initially approached to join the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York in season three, however they declined. [55] Juju appears briefly in an uncredited cameo in season six while attending Remy and Papoose's wedding. Juju joins the supporting cast in season seven, acting as a friend and confidante to Kimbella, Yandy and Remy. During the season, she releases her first book, Secrets of a Jewel, which causes minor controversy with the girls when Yandy believes one of the characters is based on her. [56] Juju is promoted to the main cast in season eight, [57] with her storyline revolving around her adapting Secrets of a Jewel into a play. [58] She reveals that her and Cam have called off their engagement [59] and develops a close friendship with Safaree. In season nine, she has a falling out with Jonathan over a business dispute, however the two eventually reconcile. [60] [61] She returns in a supporting role in season ten. [62] Juju also appears as a supporting cast member in one episode of Love & Hip Hop: Miami 's first season, and attends its reunion, and as a guest star in the spin-off show Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies .
- Anaís Martínez Brito (Season 8, supporting cast member in season 7, cameo in season 10) is a Latin Grammy Award-nominated singer, originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. [63] She came to the United States at an early age and was raised in The Bronx since she was eight years old. [64] In 2002, she appeared on an episode of The Jerry Springer Show titled "Bring On The Bisexuals". [65] She rose to fame after winning the Puerto-Rican singing competition show Objetivo Fama in 2005. She resides in Clifton, New Jersey with her husband Confesor Ruben Brito, a businessman who works at a luxury car dealership, and their two sons, Diamond and King Brito. [66] Anaís joins the cast in season eight. Frustrated by the state of her career and stuck in a miserable marriage, she becomes recklessly flirtatious, culminating in an affair with Rich Dollaz. She returns as a supporting cast member in season nine, but disappears from the show after a few episodes. It is eventually revealed that she has been struggling with mental illness, and been in and out of mental health facilities for the past few months. [67] Anaís appears in an uncredited cameo in season ten, where she is seen in the background of Jonathan's fundraising event.
- Lil' Mo (Season 8), born Cynthia Karen Loving, is a Grammy Award-nominated R&B singer and songwriter. [68] She is best known for her "anti-chicken head" anthem "Superwoman Pt. II", which is credited for launching the career of then-unknown Fabolous, [69] as well as for her collaborations with Missy Elliot and Ja Rule. Mo previously appeared on the TV One reality series R&B Divas: Los Angeles . She is married to the boxer Karl Dargan, with whom she shares a son, Karl Jr., born 2015, as well as seven other children from previous relationships. Season eight chronicles her struggles juggling her career with her marriage and family life, while dealing with persistent rumors of Karl's infidelity. Mo and Karl do not return to the show after the season's reunion special, in which Mo announces that she is expecting their second child together. Mo later admitted on social media that she had suffered a miscarriage a month before the reunion aired. [70] In 2019, the couple would appear together on We TV 's Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars 12 — Hip Hop Edition with several other Love & Hip Hop couples. Mo revealed in later interviews that shortly after filming the show she left Karl, after he had spat on her in front of their children during an argument. [71] [72]
Season 9 additions
Papoose (top), Joe Budden (middle) and Juelz Santana (below) appeared as supporting cast members before joining the main cast in season nine of Love & Hip Hop: New York .
- Papoose (Seasons 9–10, supporting cast member in seasons 6–8), born Shamele Mackie, is a rapper. He was born and raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn and has ancestry from Liberia. He married Remy Ma while she was incarcerated in 2008. Papoose has two children with ex-girlfriend Yvetta Lashley, Dejanae Mackie, born November 1997, and Shamele Mackie, born April 1999. He also has a daughter, Destiny, born September 2000. [73] Papoose joins the supporting cast in season six, where he helps Remy adjust to life after prison. The two renew their vows in an official ceremony in the finale. Seasons seven and eight focus on their struggles to conceive a child together, including a devastating ectopic pregnancy. He is promoted to the main cast in season nine, although he appears infrequently. In the season finale, he welcomes his first child with Remy, Reminisce MacKenzie Mackie. Season ten chronicles his attempts to release new music while raising his newborn daughter. Papoose also stars in the holiday special Remy & Papoose: A Merry Mackie Holiday, and the spin-off Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies , as well as the specials Dirty Little Secrets and The Love Edition.
- Joe Budden (Seasons 9–10, supporting cast member in seasons 3–4) is a Grammy Award-nominated rapper. He was born in Harlem, New York, and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. He has a son, Tré Budden, born 2001, from a previous relationship. Seasons three and four chronicle his substance abuse issues and romantic troubles, including his turbulent relationships with Tahiry and Kaylin Garcia. In 2015, he appeared with Kaylin on VH1's Couples Therapy . In 2017, he announced his retirement from rap, and instead found success as a broadcaster, having a much publicized run as a co-host on Everyday Struggle for Complex. In 2018, Joe created the late-night talk show State of the Culture for Revolt, which he hosts with his Love & Hip Hop co-star Remy Ma, and landed an exclusive partnership with Spotify to host his podcast, The Joe Budden Podcast . Joe returns as a main cast member in season nine, with his girlfriend Cyn Santana. Although they never interacted together previously on the show, the two began dating in 2016, and welcomed a son, Lexington, in December 2017. The season chronicles their relationship struggles. In the season finale, he proposes and the two become engaged. Joe and Cyn called off their engagement just months after the season's reunion, as a result of Joe's alleged infidelity. The tenth season documents the aftermath of their breakup as well as Joe's reconnection with his ex, Tahiry.
- Juelz Santana (Season 9, supporting cast member in season 7, guest star in seasons 1–2, 10), born LaRon Louis James, is a Grammy Award-nominated rapper. He is a member of the East Coast rap group The Diplomats, alongside Jim Jones and Cam'ron. He was born in Harlem to an African-American mother and Dominican father. He has been in an on-again, off-again relationship with Kimbella since 2009 and is the father of her children, Juelz Santana James, born 2010, and Bella Monroe James, born 2012. He also has a son, LaRon Louis James Jr., born 2003 from a previous relationship. After minor guest appearances in the first two seasons, Juelz joins the supporting cast in season seven, which documents his comeback to the music industry. He returns as a main cast member in season nine, which chronicles his opiate addiction and legal issues, after he was arrested for bringing a loaded gun to Newark Airport. During the season, he proposes to Kimbella and the two marry in the finale. During the reunion special, Kimbella reveals that she is pregnant with the couple's third child (and Juelz' fourth). Juelz began a 27-month federal prison sentence on March 1, 2019. Kimbella gave birth to Santana James in July 2019. [74] He would continue to make appearances via phone call conversations with Kimbella during season ten. Santana was released from prison early on August 5, 2020, after serving 17 months.
- Rich Dollaz (Seasons 9–10, supporting cast member in seasons 1–8), born Richard Ashton Martin-Trowers, [75] [76] [77] is a music executive and entertainment manager, originally from Waterbury, Connecticut. [78] [79] He is the CEO of Dollaz Unlimited. He began his career as an intern working in the promotional and marketing department at Bad Boy Records. He has a daughter, Ashley, with former girlfriend Miracle Kaye Hall, along with several other children. [80] He has been arrested multiple times for not paying child support. [81] [82] Dollaz is introduced as Olivia's long term manager. Subsequent seasons focus on his love life, as well as his tendency to mix business with pleasure with the various women he manages, including Erica Mena in seasons three and four, Jhonni Blaze and Diamond Strawberry in season five, Mariahlynn in season six, Jade Wifey in season seven and Anaís in season eight. Rich is a member of the self-professed "creep squad", along with Peter and Cisco, and later, Self and Snoop. After appearing in every season prior as a supporting cast member, Dollaz is promoted to the main cast in season nine. During the season, his baby mama Miracle faces legal issues after shooting her husband in a domestic dispute. Season ten chronicles his efforts to help up-and-coming rapper Jennaske, amid tensions with his ex, Erica Mena, and his former client Olivia, who accuses him of stealing song royalties from her. [83] Rich appears as a supporting cast member in season two of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood , which chronicles his relationship with Moniece Slaughter, and in two episodes of season seven of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta , where he reunites with his ex Erica Mena, in a scheme orchestrated by Stevie J. Rich also appears in one episode of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta: After Party Live! and in the specials 40 Greatest Love & Hip Hop Moments, The Wedding, Love & Hip Hop Hollywood: Dirty Little Secrets, Love & Hip Hop New York: Dirty Little Secrets and The Love Edition.
- Safaree Samuels (Seasons 9–10, supporting cast member in season 8) is a rapper and record producer. [84] He came into the public eye through his relationship with Nicki Minaj, whom he dated from 2002 until 2014. He was born in Brooklyn to Jamaican parents. He previously appeared on K. Michelle: My Life and as a main cast member on Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood . Safaree joins the supporting cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York in season eight, which chronicles his return to New York to be closer to his family. He briefly dates DreamDoll, before developing a close friendship with Juju. At the reunion, it is revealed in a deleted scene that he hooked up with Mariahlynn. He is promoted to main cast in season nine, which chronicles his recent career struggles, including being robbed at gunpoint, [85] having his nude photos leak [86] and being booed off the stage during a performance at Dyckman Park. [87] Later in the season, he begins dating his Scared Famous co-star Erica Mena, which causes tensions between him, Joe Budden and her exes Rich Dollaz and Cyn Santana. On December 24, 2018, Safaree proposed to Erica after a month of dating. [88] On September 12, 2019, Erica announced that she and Safaree were expecting their first child together. [89] She rejoins the cast with Safaree in season ten, which chronicles the couple's relationship struggles, as well as their wedding ceremony [90] and the birth of their daughter, born 2020. [91] Safaree also appears on season ten of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta , as a supporting cast member on season two of Leave It to Stevie , as a guest star in Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies and in the specials Dirty Little Secrets, The Love Edition, Love & Hip Hop Awards: Most Certified and 40 Greatest Love & Hip Hop Moments: The Reboot.
