Getty
When it comes to music, two might just be better than one. We’ve witnessed Beyoncé dominate the music industry with sexual, soulful style that has a hint of street in it, while little sister Solange has always taken a free-spirited and artsy approach to her creativity. Chloe x Halle are a new dynamic duo who are dominating the charts with sweet hymns and fierce fashion. And most recently hip-hop has fallen in love with the dynamic of Bronx-born Cardi B and her little sister, Hennessy Carolina whom many fans were introduced to when the pair made their debut on VH1’s Love and Hip-Hop: New York.
While many fans applaud Cardi B’s authenticity, blunt observations and catchphrases like, “Okurrr,” little sister Hennessy is making some moves of her own being hailed for her fashion sense and as a hero for the queer community. PAPER magazine caught up with the 22-year-old to get her take on her older sister’s rise to fame and her thoughts on sharing the spotlight. In addition to starring alongside her sister on the VH1 reality show, Hennessy (yes, that’s her real name!) has some of her own projects in the works, including an evening wear line and building a career as an actress. When it comes to being authentic, Hennessy is clear that it’s not a calculated move on the behalf of she and her sister, they’re just simply living their lives:
“Everyone feels that they have to have this image and hide themselves. They want to be so perfect so badly for the public that it’s not even reality. You’re not even really living your life, you’re living it for somebody else. Some people act a certain way because they are worried about society. I act a certain way just because I’m living my life. I don’t worry about anybody.”
She also shares the reason she’s not all that surprised that fame found a way into the Almanzar sisters’ lives and that she’s not in love with the way she’s portrayed on reality TV all of the time:
“I don’t want to [say], ‘Yeah I seen it coming,’ but I did see it coming. My teachers used to tell me all the time, ‘One day you’re going to be famous. Make sure you come back, don’t forget about me when you make it.’ People would tell me, like teachers with their masters degrees. When people who are very intelligent are telling you that, it’s like ‘Oh my God are you for real?’”
“To be honest, TV can portray you in whatever way they want to portray you.”
“If it’s a show about drama, I don’t want to do it. If it’s a positive show, I’m fine. I’ll just be myself and it will be fine.”
They might not be creating must-see TV via elevator footage, but like any loyal little sister would say, if you’ve got a problem with Cardi, you’ve a problem with Hennessy Carolina. Hennessy reflected on the famous fight that went down on the reunion show in which Cardi B and castmate Major Galore settled their issues with hands, but she expresses that she’s wasn’t swinging for just no reason:
“That’s nothing to ever be proud of. What I did at the reunion… first it was personal beef and she was just lying for the camera. People become actors when the cameras turn on, people are liars. And second, we had a real personal problem with her and the fact that she got on camera and lied… so I just did what I did because I got pissed off. I’m from the Bronx, I’m from the hood, so when somebody talks about fighting you will fight back. I really didn’t have to say anything to the producers, I just didn’t want that to represent me as a person.”
“We grew up protecting each other, so it’s just natural. We only had each other, so that’s all we know. When someone is coming at her, that’s just the natural thing to do. But how do I handle it after? I’m just learning to let people have their opinion without taking it personal.”
She also shared her experience of coming out as queer in a Caribbean household where same-sex relationships are typically forbidden:
“Well, it was kind of hard because my mom is Caribbean and she didn’t really accept it at first. It was really hard because growing up people always made it seem like you have to be with a man. But God wouldn’t want people to not love each other. So why do I have to listen to what other people want? Like why would God be afraid that two people of the same gender love each other?”
“I taught my family and they actually became accepting because I sat them down. I spoke to them, and told them what it is and how life works.”
When it comes to being seen as an LGBTQ hero, Hennessy shares that she and her family have come a long way, so she’s happy to give hope to others in similar situations who fear having to choose between their family and their sexuality:
“I’m so happy I’m actually spreading awareness because you don’t understand, my family is Caribbean — they do not like that. They do not play like that. My mom, she did not play with that. And I opened up her heart, I opened up her eyes and she’s now so accepting about it, and even her family is accepting now.”
When it comes to projects in the works, she shares that she’s putting off her fashion line release until next year since big sister Cardi has her own line being released in the fall, in the meantime she does have some TV and film appearances lined up. When it comes to success, she’s clear there’s room for both of them to win while staying in their own lanes, and she’ll definitely have her sister’s back every step of the way:
“I’m just doing what’s smart. I always support her no matter what, so if she wants to drop it, fine. I’m her sister, so if I got to push my thing back I’ll push it back. We’re always looking out for each other. That’s not even a problem for me.”
