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BY Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku, 6:23pm January 29, 2025,

Rihanna attends A$AP Rocky’s trial for the first time as accuser takes the stand

by Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku, 6:23pm January 29, 2025,
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky - Photo credit: A$AP Rocky (Instagram)

Rihanna made her first court appearance at the trial of her partner, A$AP Rocky, who is facing felony charges in connection with a 2021 shooting involving his former friend, A$AP Relli. Her presence coincided with a crucial day of testimony as the accuser took the stand.

The 36-year-old singer, who shares two young sons with Rocky, sat out of view of the courtroom cameras, positioned between his mother and sister at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse. Security discreetly escorted her in on Wednesday morning to avoid drawing attention.

Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Athelston Mayers, is accused of firing a handgun at Relli, born Terell Ephron, during an altercation in Hollywood. If convicted, he faces up to 24 years in prison.

READ ALSO: A$AP Rocky trial: Opening statements begin amid clash over ballistics report

Rihanna watched as Relli recounted the incident, describing how Rocky allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband and fired. “He turned around, and then it was like BOOM!” Relli told the jury. “The whole thing felt like a movie—he kind of pointed down and fired the first shot.”

Relli said he felt heat in his hand and later realized he had been grazed. “I was hit. Or I was grazed. I didn’t have a hole or anything,” he testified. He recalled grabbing a mutual friend for cover after the first shot. Though he did not see a second shot fired, he said Rocky fled shortly afterward.

During jury selection, prosecutors questioned potential jurors about whether Rihanna’s presence might influence their verdict. Nearly all recognized her—many more than Rocky—but insisted they could remain impartial. It was unclear whether jurors noticed her in court. She wore a long black dress resembling a winter coat, with glasses on her head that she occasionally put on during the prosecution’s questioning.

Relli testified that he and Rocky had once been close as members of the A$AP creative collective, but their relationship soured after Rocky’s rise to fame. Their tension had been escalating for years and worsened in the days leading up to the alleged shooting. When they met near the W Hotel that night, an initial scuffle broke out. After Rocky pulled a gun, Relli admitted he taunted him, daring him to use it. When Rocky walked away, Relli followed, shouting—until shots were fired.

Rocky’s defense team claims the gun was not real but a starter pistol that fired blanks. His lawyer argued that Relli was aware of this, which explained his confidence in pursuing Rocky. “Oh, it was a real gun,” Relli countered, pointing to his injured hand as proof.

READ ALSO: Al Sharpton raises concerns over racial disparity in jury selection for A$AP Rocky trial

Relli said he followed Rocky because he assumed that, on a busy Hollywood street, he wouldn’t actually fire. Since reporting the shooting, he has received death threats and been labeled a “snitch,” which he says destroyed his music management career. “It’s been a living hell,” he told the court.

About an hour after the shooting, Relli returned to the scene and found two shell casings, photographing them. Police, who had initially responded to reports of gunfire, had not recovered any evidence. Relli later texted Rocky, accusing him: “U try killing me.”

Rocky denied it, responding, “Bro wtf is u talkin bout why u tell ppl I shot at u.” When Relli sent photos of his injury and the casings, Rocky dismissed them as fabricated and accused Relli of attempting to “extort” him.

Court proceedings ended early due to scheduling conflicts. Rihanna was escorted out through a restricted exit, while Rocky left separately through the main courthouse doors, according to AP’s report. The defense is set to cross-examine Relli on Thursday.

Rocky, who first gained recognition in 2011, has enjoyed a successful career, with his first two studio albums debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Despite his legal troubles, 2024 was poised to be a major year for him. He is nominated for a Grammy for Best Music Video for ‘Tailor Swif’, set to headline Rolling Loud, slated to star alongside Denzel Washington in a Spike Lee-directed film, and will co-chair the Met Gala in May. However, the looming threat of conviction casts uncertainty over his future.

Rihanna and Rocky, both 36, share two sons: 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers. She publicly revealed her second pregnancy during her 2023 Super Bowl halftime show. The couple, both influential in music and fashion, first collaborated in 2012 when Rocky appeared on her song Cockiness (Love It) and performed with her at the MTV Video Music Awards. They became a couple in 2020 and have since built a life together.

READ ALSO: A$AP Rocky rejects plea deal as trial begins over alleged gun incident with former friend

Last Edited by:Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku Updated: January 29, 2025

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