Not only is 2018 Cardi B’s year, it's also a win for her younger sister, Hennessy Carolina.
Like her big sister, the 22-year-old up-and-coming actress is a Love and Hip Hop: New York alum and social media star. She's also unabashedly in love with her girlfriend.
Hennessy spoke with Paper Mag about her experience of coming out to her Caribbean mother and impacting those who may have struggled with their sexual orientation.
"It was kind of hard because [my mom] she didn't really accept it at first," Hennessy said of her coming out in the interview published Monday, April 30. "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."
She expressed that ultimately her heart and happiness come first and should be of the utmost importance to her family as well.
"That's not what my body wants," she continued. "That's not what my heart wants. That's not my happiness."
Hennessy said she didn't necessarily understand her sexuality when she was younger, but she knew she had a stronger attraction toward women.
"I was trying to hold back my feelings but then when I grew up and realized like no this is what it is, like how am I going to stop myself from liking a girl? That's not possible," she added.
Hennessy's love and acceptance for herself and her ability to cultivate an understanding among her family is a testament to the struggles many face. As Paper recognized, it may even help lead others a step closer to accepting and loving themselves unapologetically. The publication asserted the budding star is on the path to LGBTQ icon status.
"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."
