VH1’s ‘Love & Hip Hop’ Secrets Unlocked 4-Part Special Kicks Off Jan. 4
The reality show Love & Hip Hop will be resurrected on Jan. 4, when the first episode of a four-part reunion special airs. Love & Hip Hop began as VH1’s New York-based reality TV show, which was initially named Diary of a Hip Hop Girlfriend. It soon metamorphized into reality TV gold.
Last May, Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta production ceased due to Covid 19-related restrictions. The Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta season 9 finale aired May 11 and addressed the spread of coronavirus throughout the city. In 2021, the entire Love & Hip Hop franchise is expected to return with new specials, as well as new seasons. The original show, Love & Hip Hop: New York, which premiered in 2011, centered around the lives of hip hop and R&B creators. The show also served as the launchpad for many unknown artists at the time, such as Cardi B, K. Michelle, and Joseline Hernandez.
As reported by Variety, Kendall Kyndall will host Love & Hip Hop: Secrets Unlocked. The special will include cast members from all four franchise iterations, which were filmed in New York, Hollywood, Atlanta, and Miami. It will also feature new content from the Atlanta franchise. Featured guests will include Mendeecees Harris, Yandy Smith-Harris, Erica Mena, Safaree Samuels, Ray J, and Princess Love.
Mendeecees’ reunion with his wife Yandy is considered a first since his release from prison earlier this year. In 2015, music producer Mendeecees was sentenced to eight years in a minimum-security prison in Philadelphia, after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges in April 2015. His sentence was eventually reduced, and he served five years and three months in prison. His arrest and imprisonment also became a storyline in the show. Safaree and Erica, who married in October 2019, had a baby earlier this year.
Ray J and Princess are on a file-for-divorce merry-go-round. In May, Princess filed for divorce, but the couple later reconciled. A few months later, in September, Ray J filed for divorce. On the heels of an ugly fight in Las Vegas in November 2019, Princess and her Love & Hip Hop co-star (husband Ray J) lived apart. At the time of their fight in Las Vegas, Princess said Ray J left her and their daughter Melody stranded after their argument. To add insult to injury, Princess was weeks away from giving birth to their second child, a son named Epik, who was born in January. Unfortunately for this couple, time didn’t heal all wounds.
Variety also reports that Amara La Negra, Cyn Santana, Jonathan Fernandez, Karlie Redd, Bambi, Bobby Lytes, Kendra Robinson, Kirk Frost, Mami Ana, Momma Dee, Rasheeda Frost, Rich Dollaz, Lil Scrappy, Shay Johnson, Sukihana, Trick Daddy, and Yung Joc will appear. Just like a high school reunion, half the fun is showing up to see who else appears. All eyes on you, Love & Hip Hop alum Cardi B.