Erica Mena is opening up about her eldest child, her son King, and the sacrifices she faced as a young mother in a new Interview with Carlos King.
“Having King really set the tone for how I would hustle,” Erica shared, reflecting on the early days of motherhood.
Mena became pregnant at the tender age of 18 and welcomed King into the world at 19. As a young mom, she was determined to provide for her son “whatever it took.”
“I made sure to give King whatever he wanted,” she said with determination in her voice. But it wasn’t always an easy journey. Eventually, Erica made the tough decision to leave King’s dad, embarking on her own path in the real world. “My hustle changed when I had a son,” she admitted.
Erica leaned on her family for support, with her mom and sisters playing crucial roles in helping raise King. During her time on Love and Hip Hop, which filmed in Los Angeles, she would work tirelessly from Monday to Friday, dedicating the rest of the week to being with her son. “My son deserved stability and a foundation”.
Despite her love and dedication, Erica shared the difficulties she faced due to King’s introverted nature. She revealed, “I guess because my son is not the hippest kid and is very introverted, people assume that there is something birthwise wrong with him.”
Read Related Also: Kourtney Kardashian insists her and sister Kim’s TV fights aren’t that ‘bad’ in gushing birthday tribute
“People come up with these crazy scenarios about my son, some of which have gotten back to him, and that is hurtful,” Erica lamented. She made it clear that her son, King, is very vocal about his preference not to be in the public eye.
King, who is now 16 and graduating high school this year, fills Erica’s heart with pride. Tearfully, she revealed, “I am so proud.”
However, she acknowledged the regrets that still linger. “The time I missed for having to provide, I can never get back with my kid. So naturally, I am always going to have that regret,” she admitted, her voice tinged with sorrow.
But at the same time i look around and I’m like, he’s never wanted for anything, he’s gone to the best schools, [and] he’s loved on,” she added.
Erica further explained, “I sacrificed a lot of time away from him to provide and get comfortable enough where I’m at, but I can never get that time back. So it hurts when people say, ‘Oh, she abandoned her kid.’”
She emphasized that King didn’t ask her to be his mother, and his preference for a quieter, more private life is entirely valid.
Erica shares King with her ex, Raul Conde, and she also has two other children, Legend and Safire, with her ex-husband Safaree Samuel
