In a love story that rivaled any Hollywood romance, a man serving time behind bars asked for a lifetime commitment via FaceTime, sweeping his now-fiancée off her feet with an extravagant proposal featuring flowers, fireworks, and a serenading violinist.
While some struggle to even get a Valentine’s Day text, this jailbird’s gesture has set a new standard for love behind bars. Kenyana Jones, popularly known as San Francisco rapper Yatta, proposed to his fiancé virtually behind bars, according to the New York Post.
“Turned this mother f–king engagement from behind the wall,” bragged a giddy Jones in trending YouTube footage of his remote proposal to his bride-to-be, known online as Belly Belle, on February 12.
“You ain’t seen no s–t like this,” boasted the lyricist.
In a video that’s been viewed by more than 2.6 million followers on TikTok, Belle accepted the proposal of Jones, who has been sentenced to 12 years for a 2016 murder.
“I got engaged to my best friend, my person, the love of my life, my life partner that I can’t imagine being without,” gushed the 27-year-old fiancé in a video caption of the proposal. “The sleepless nights without you, the anxiety I get worrying about you, the ups [and] downs we been through, the time apart.”
“This s–t don’t get easy. Some days are harder than others but you’re worth everything,” Belle continued. “To be loved by you is the biggest blessing within itself. I love you so much, baby.”
In a picturesque waterfront setting curated by Blooming Events from Orange County, California, the grand proposal unfolded. The scene was adorned with large marquee letters spelling out “MARRY ME,” accompanied by a heart-shaped flower arch, spark boxes, and an aisle strewn with white roses.
Jones proposed to Belle via an iPad placed on a music stand. Following her acceptance of the proposal, the blond’s mother placed a radiant-cut engagement ring from Jones on her finger.
Belle later made a separate post with the inscription “To do life with you is the biggest gift within itself”.
Despite the stunning setting and romantic gesture, some netizens criticized the couple, questioning the legal status of Jones to initiate such a union.
“I’m conflicted between ‘If he wanted to he would’ and “HE’S IN JAIL,’” one TikTok user commented.
“The reddest green flag I’ve ever seen,” posted another user.
“I get genuinely happy for people but sometimes I can’t,” said another. “I’d be so embarrassed standing there with an iPad.”
But Belle seems unfazed by the barrage of criticism.
“To all the negative comments, you can’t even get some flowers from the gas station or a text back from [your] mans,” she jabbed. “That’s if you [have] one.”
