Yandy Smith has been a familiar face on “Love & Hip-Hop” since 2011, showing us her journey from savvy businesswoman to devoted mom alongside her partner, Mandeecees Harris, who is both a music manager and a street-smart guy. Yandy often describes their first meeting as love at first sight, but she quickly learned that Mandeecees came with more baggage than an entire airline. Buckle up, because this story is a wild ride. As Mandeecees himself puts it, “P, you so damn messy!” He admits, “I used to juggle a lot of women, but now that I’ve got my life together, what matters most to me is family and Yandy.”
Today, we’re diving into the chaotic rollercoaster of their relationship. But before we get into it, are you feeling peckish? Check out our online snack stand at rrgsnacks.com for some tasty treats. From savory Western barbecue bacon jerky to freeze-dried goodies and buttery toffee peanuts. Let me tell you, those toffee peanuts are dangerously good, and the freeze-dried snacks are equally addictive.
In 2022, Mandeecees started dating a 19-year-old named Samantha. Back then, he was wrapped up in some shady activities. He even shared a jaw-dropping story during an interview with Club Shay: he once used his mother as collateral in a drug deal. “I was dealing with a big stash, and they said, ‘Show us where your mom lives because if you run, we need something to hold you to it,’” Mandeecees recalled. “I didn’t plan to run, so I showed them. Now, looking back, I’m just amazed that I put my mom through that. What was I thinking?”
In 2001, Mandeecees got himself into serious trouble in Maryland for distributing cocaine and ended up serving time in prison. Fast forward to 2003: while Samantha was at home pregnant with their son, Mandeecees met Erica and, without missing a beat, told her he was single and childless—total lie. Erica later said, “When I met him, he never mentioned he had a girlfriend. It wasn’t exclusive; we were just dating.”
Mandeecees and Erica started seeing each other, and Samantha noticed he wasn’t coming home and seemed to be partying nonstop. When she found out he was cheating, she kicked him to the curb immediately. She told VH1 that Erica wasn’t the problem; it was the other women in his life causing all the drama. “We were in D.C., and things weren’t getting better. He wasn’t coming home. I had a young baby and felt like I wasn’t getting the support I needed.”
Despite the mess, Samantha and Erica eventually became friends. After Samantha gave birth to Mandeecees in October 2005, Erica even helped babysit sometimes. In April 2006, Yandy, who managed a client, was asked to book a flight for the client’s friend. When the friend showed up in Miami, Yandy was introduced to Mandeecees.
Yandy recalled her first impression: “I saw this big lady with an even bigger afro and thought, ‘Wow, she’s really attractive.’ She had a great body; I had a chipped tooth.” Mandeecees started chatting with Yandy about his heartbreak, claiming his son was 2 years old and that his baby mama had left him. But that was a lie—his son was only 6 months old, and Erica was still very much in the picture, claiming they were living together and traveling together.
Even though Yandy was interested, she told Mandeecees she didn’t date her client’s friends. Mandeecees insisted he wasn’t friends with the client anymore and wanted to be wherever Yandy was going. They flew back to New York, where Yandy’s boyfriend picked her up at the airport. So, yeah, Mandeecees had a girlfriend, and Yandy had a boyfriend—definitely a complicated situation.
Yandy’s boyfriend dropped her off at home, and after changing clothes, she met up with Mandeecees. They didn’t live happily ever after, though. Yandy told VH1 that for the first year and a half, she and Mandeecees were just friends. Mandeecees introduced Yandy to Samantha as a friend and told Yandy that Erica was just hired help. Sounds like he was quite the liar. Erica even claimed that Yandy hadn’t broken up with her boyfriend at that time and accused Yandy of seeing another man who had a girlfriend, with Yandy reportedly stalking that woman.
In 2008, Yandy ended her previous relationship, and she and Mandeecees got together. Yandy revealed to VH1 that their relationship was rocky in the beginning, with multiple breakups. They even had a year-long separation while Yandy was on tour in Africa with Missy Elliott. When Yandy came back, Mandeecees was waiting at her door, eager to get back together. They worked things out and decided to give their relationship another shot. “You might have should have left that little Chihuahua right there on the front porch.”
By 2011, Yandy joined the cast of Love and Hip Hop: New York. Her storyline focused on her role as Jim Jones’ manager and her drama with his then-fiancée, Chrissy Lampkin. After her professional split from Jim, Yandy’s career continued to flourish. However, things took a turn when Yandy found out Erica was pregnant, and then discovered she was pregnant too. Mandeecees seemed disinterested, even skipping Yandy’s baby shower to hang out with his friends.
“I’m going to a white party. This is the night of your baby shower. And it’s over. How else are you going to get home? Your father is going to drive you to the house. What are you going to do? I’m going with V to the club.”
He should’ve been left on the porch. Erica gave birth first, and Yandy followed in July 2012. By season 3 of Love and Hip Hop, Jim and Chrissy were gone, and Yandy needed a new storyline. “He came to my job and told me how he didn’t want to be with Erica anymore. The relationship was boring, and he wanted to move on to Yandy.”
“She’s on Love and Hip Hop. I’m joining the cast. I’m Mandeecees. I’m from Harlem, St. Nick projects. I used to be in the streets, got it together, got into the music industry, and Yandy’s my girlfriend.”
It looked like Mandeecees was using Yandy to boost his career, and Samantha wondered why a man facing serious criminal charges would expose his messy life on TV. Mandeecees was out on bail after being accused of inappropriate actions with his ex-girlfriend’s 15-year-old daughter, with the incidents starting in 2009. The daughter testified that Mandeecees had threatened to reveal a dark secret if she didn’t comply. When the mother found out, she kicked the daughter out. Mandeecees had just appeared on Love and Hip Hop when the trial began, and the daughter was shocked to see him on the show, still living in the home where the alleged abuse occurred.
“Yeah, I know you’re lying.” In February 2013, Mandeecees was found not guilty of the charges but was later arrested on a federal indictment for allegedly trafficking $2.5 million worth of heroin and cocaine. Yandy paid $200,000 to bail him out. Should have left him on the front porch and should have left him in that jail.
During this time, Yandy and Mandeecees’ engagement was highlighted on a March 2013 episode of Love & Hip Hop. They had another child together in January 2015, making Mandeecees a father of four with three different women. But by April 2015, things took a serious turn when Mandeecees pled guilty to drug charges and was sentenced to 8 years in prison. Yandy and Mandeecees tied the knot on camera for VH1, and Yandy didn’t hesitate to flaunt their marriage, which many found a bit tacky. She even threw Mandeecees a going-away party before he started his sentence in January 2016. They got matching couple’s tattoos before he went in, and Yandy took on the role of a single mom while the drama on Love & Hip Hop continued.
In 2016, Yandy made headlines when she changed the locks on an apartment shared with Erica. Erica wasn’t happy about it and took to Instagram, calling Yandy a “miserable, desperate, pathological liar” and criticizing her for her actions. Erica posted photos of herself with Mandeecees and his belongings to prove they were still together. It wasn’t until December 2016 that Yandy admitted she and Mandeecees weren’t legally married, explaining to her castmates that their union was more of a spiritual one. This revelation upset many viewers who felt deceived by the show’s portrayal of their relationship. Mandeecees had hoped his kids would stay close while he was in prison, but Erica and Samantha’s actions made things difficult.
Rumors swirled that Erica and Samantha were trying to break up Yandy and Mandeecees by suggesting Yandy had been unfaithful. Yandy also had a showdown with Mandeecees’ mom, Judy, after exposing Judy’s affair with a younger man. Despite all this drama, Yandy decided to legally marry Mandeecees in early 2017, though they couldn’t have conjugal visits due to federal prison rules. In 2018, Yandy expanded her family by becoming a foster mom to Infinity, a girl from her mentorship program.
Yandy’s support for Mandeecees didn’t waver. In February 2019, she joined a protest against poor prison conditions and even got pepper-sprayed. Mandeecees was released in January 2020, and as they adjusted to life outside prison, the pandemic hit. They moved to Atlanta, joined Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, and opened several businesses, including a dance studio, a crepe shop, and a skincare store. They also shared their ups and downs on VH1’s Family Reunion, and later appeared on shows like Couple’s Retreat and DC. Yandy worried that being overly supportive might affect their relationship dynamics, reflecting on how even awards and achievements could sometimes lead to complications.
Mandisi and Yandy have had their share of ups and downs. In an April 2021 episode, Mandisi was upset that Yandy didn’t reach out more while he was in prison. Yandy, however, felt like she was doing her best under tough circumstances. She explained, “I’m juggling raising two kids, running five companies, and managing everything. I can’t be glued to emails and phone calls. I’m too busy handling bills and running the household.”
Mandisi’s reaction took many by surprise. He questioned whether Yandy would support him if the situation were reversed, hinting that he might not be there for her if she faced difficulties. His comments raised doubts about his commitment.
In September 2021, they renewed their vows in Dubai, signaling their intention to strengthen their relationship. But things have remained rocky. Yandy’s decision to give her egg to her cousin, which Mandisi found uncomfortable and felt she should have discussed with him first, added to their tension. Mandisi also didn’t agree with Yandy’s political aspirations.
Yandy, in turn, reminded Mandisi of his own controversial choices, like having children with other women and his criminal past. In an April 2024 episode of “Love and Hip Hop,” Mandisi admitted their relationship often feels more like a business arrangement than a loving partnership. He said, “Sometimes it doesn’t even feel like we’re in a relationship anymore. I need my wife to bring the love and attention that our home needs.”
“Do you ever think you might actually divorce Andy?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I ask myself that question every day, but I still can’t come up with an answer.” As for Yandy, she’s been pretty firm about not letting go of their marriage. She wants to keep their family together. A couple of weeks after that episode aired, Alexa Sky and her friend went live on Instagram and started spilling tea. “So, Mandes has been cheating on Yandy since they joined Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, and I know for a fact he was checking out other women when I was at TH High’s house about a year ago. Let me tell you, Yandy just doesn’t do it for him anymore. Mandes is definitely cheating on her, and it’s all going down on Love and Hip Hop Atlanta. Are you hearing this? The AA show is here, live and loud, honey. I’ve got people on the show and people in the streets telling me about it. Yandy, Mandes is stepping out on you. Alexis didn’t know, but guess what? I told her everything. So listen, honey, you need to keep a close eye on your man because ever since he moved out, he’s been all over the place. Next case. Yandy, girl, you’ve got to step up. I like you, Yandy, but you need to do better with CH and me, girl. Mandes is cheating on you, plain and simple. Did you really think he’d get out of the halfway house and stick to just one woman? Girl, next case. But don’t get it twisted, I still love you. Your restaurant’s food is great, by the way. I’ll be needing a free plate next time I’m there, after everything I’ve just said. Do you think she’ll give you a free plate? After this? She better, if she wants to find out who her man’s been messing with.”
The next day, Alexis jumped on Instagram to apologize to Mandes and Yandy for even being there while her friend was talking about their marriage. Mandes clapped back at the rumors by posting a video of a monkey attacking someone, with the caption, “I don’t do drama online. But leave me alone. First and last time.” That’s right, Mandes, set the record straight. By the way, are you a fan of Tommy from Martin? What do you do for work?
With everything they’ve been through, and now these new rumors, some folks are worried that Yandy and Mandes might be headed for a breakup. Others are saying they should just leave the show to focus on their marriage and kids. What do you think? Can Yandy and Mandes get through this, or is someone else already waiting in the wings? Share your thoughts in the comments, and thanks for tuning in.