If you’ve been following reality TV for the last decade, you know Erica Mena doesn't do "quiet." She’s the woman who famously turned a champagne toss into a security-changing event on Love & Hip Hop. But lately, there’s been a massive buzz around Two Ways with Erica Mena, her latest venture that has everyone talking about her life "both ways."
Honestly, the term "both ways" has become a bit of a lightning rod for her. It refers to her openness about her bisexuality and her new Zeus Network dating show where both men and women compete for her heart. It’s a pivot. After being ousted from the Love & Hip Hop franchise in 2023 following a high-profile controversy with co-star Spice, many thought her career was cooked.
They were wrong.
The Reality of Two Ways with Erica Mena
The concept of the show is basically The Bachelorette if it was set in a chaotic mansion and fueled by the raw energy of the Zeus Network. In Two Ways with Erica Mena, the "both ways" aspect isn't just a marketing gimmick; it’s a reflection of her actual life. She’s been open about her sexuality for years, even when the industry wasn’t exactly welcoming.
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The show premiered in early 2025, and it’s been a wild ride. We’re talking about a house full of people where the competition is literally everyone against everyone. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s vintage Erica. But beneath the screaming matches and the "kissing gang bang" challenges (yes, that was a real episode title), there’s a woman trying to rebuild a brand that almost went up in smoke.
Why the Shift Matters
For years, Erica was the "villain." She played the role perfectly. From her early days as a video vixen in Chris Brown’s "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" to her tumultuous marriage to Safaree Samuels, she was always the one at the center of the storm.
But Two Ways with Erica Mena feels different because she’s the one holding the remote. On VH1, she was a piece of a larger ensemble, often edited to fit a specific narrative. On Zeus, she's the executive producer of her own story. People are watching because they want to see if she’s actually changed or if this is just a new stage for the same old drama.
From Video Vixen to Brand Architect
Erica Mena’s trajectory is actually kinda fascinating if you look at the numbers. She started at 14. She won a J.Lo look-alike contest and never looked back.
- 2005: First music video appearance.
- 2009: Appears on Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami as a Dash employee.
- 2011: Joins Love & Hip Hop: New York and changes the show’s security protocols forever.
- 2023: Fired from LHHATL after the "blue monkey" slur controversy.
- 2025: Launches her own dating franchise.
It’s a survivor’s story, even if the survivor is someone you love to hate. She’s written two autobiographies, Chronicles of a Confirmed Bachelorette and Underneath It All, which dive into a childhood that most people couldn't imagine. She was born in prison. Her mother was incarcerated at the time. When you realize that’s where she started, the "both ways" hustle makes a lot more sense. She’s always had to fight for a seat at the table.
The Safaree Factor and Moving On
You can’t talk about Erica without mentioning Safaree. Their divorce was public, ugly, and filled with accusations of neglect and cheating. By mid-2025, the drama shifted toward child support battles, with Erica publicly calling him out for "fangirling" over Chris Brown while allegedly skipping out on parental duties.
This personal baggage is a huge part of why Two Ways with Erica Mena works for her fan base. They’ve watched her lose it all—her marriage, her job on VH1, and her reputation. Seeing her date both men and women on her own terms feels like a middle finger to the traditional "wife" role she tried to play for a few years.
Understanding the Audience
Who is watching this? Mostly people who grew up with the 2010s era of reality TV. They’ve seen Erica’s growth, her setbacks, and her constant ability to trend on social media. Whether she’s wearing a "Free Palestine" shirt on an episode of her dating show or getting into it with Joseline Hernandez (who made a guest appearance on the show), she knows how to stay in the conversation.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Erica is just "doing it for the cameras." While everything on Zeus is dialed up to eleven, her bisexuality isn't a new "both ways" plot point. She was catching heat for it back in 2013.
The industry is different now. In 2026, being a "multihyphenate" isn't just about having a clothing line and a song. It’s about owning the platform. By moving to Zeus, she bypassed the gatekeepers who fired her. She essentially proved that a "cancelation" is only permanent if you let it be.
Navigating the "Both Ways" Lifestyle
If you're looking to understand the Erica Mena brand today, you have to look at the nuance. She’s a mother of three. She’s a former vixen. She’s a reality vet.
Take Actionable Steps to Follow the Journey:
- Watch the Content Directly: If you want the unfiltered version, the Zeus Network is the only place to see her current arc. It's different from the VH1 era—less "polished," more "raw."
- Read the Backstory: Her books, especially Underneath It All, provide context for her hair-trigger temper and her drive. It's hard to judge the "villain" when you see the origin story.
- Monitor the Business Pivot: Keep an eye on her production credits. She is moving toward behind-the-scenes work, which is the only way to ensure longevity in an industry that replaces faces every season.
- Check the Socials: She often addresses rumors in real-time on Instagram Live. This is where the "both ways" narrative gets its most honest updates, usually at 2 AM.
Erica Mena is a master of the pivot. Whether you agree with her methods or not, she has managed to turn a career-ending scandal into a self-titled franchise. That’s not just luck; it’s a specific kind of genius for the digital age.