The Untold Truth Of Love And Hip Hop's Betty Idol
Salomé, also known as Betty Idol, is an attention-grabbing figure who fans might recognize from her time on the reality series, Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. Responsible for songs like "Poppin' Tags" and "Harley Quinn," she's also a cast member of Cartel Crew, which features the children of underworld figures "as they navigate adulthood and the effects of their family legacies." Idol explained her connection to that world when chatting with VH1, saying, "I'm connected to the cartel lifestyle because I grew up in it."
"My dad is from Cali, Colombia, and he came to America and had to make a living and that's what he did. He was part of the cartel life," she continued. The star also explained that while her father is currently incarcerated — and doesn't necessarily approve of her professional pursuits despite his own questionable career path — but that hasn't stopped her from being "daddy's little girl."
That dedication to her family is the same reason why Idol was so heartbroken over the tragic and shocking loss of her little sister in May 2020.
Betty Idol doesn't believe her sister's death was an accident
Salome — aka Betty Idol — suffered a tragic loss when on May 18, 2020, her younger sister, 17-year-old Giselle "Gigi" Rengifo (pictured above), "suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head," according to People. Although the "death is being investigated as an accident," Idol and her family believe "that her killing was intentional."
The heartbreaking turn of events occurred when Rengifo and her "friends rented an Airbnb for the day," which is "where the shooting happened," the Miami Herald reported. Michael McGowan, who is also 17, "admitted to the shooting and like his friends said it was accidental." He's now been charged with manslaughter with a deadly weapon, per the outlet.
However, Idol thinks that her sister was murdered, writing in an Instagram post, "I will never be able to hold my sister again because someone decided to take her from me. Those kids that were at that Airbnb are covering up the truth and I'm going to find out and get JUSTICE for my little sister. Putting a gun to someone's head is NOT AN ACCIDENT. That's called #MURDER."
Our condolences go out to Idol and her family during this tough time.