Mothers knew best: How A$AP Rocky’s mom saw Rihanna was ‘the one’ first
Hollywood love stories often feel fast, flashy, and fleeting. But for Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, theirs was the kind of romance that unfolded naturally, quietly, and almost like a well-kept secret, until now.
In a candid interview on The New York Times Popcast, Rocky, 37, shared an unexpectedly tender chapter of their story: his mother had recognized Rihanna as “the one” years before their romance officially began.
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A mother’s intuition
“Rihanna was always my boo,” Rocky admitted, recalling his mother’s candid advice. While he dated other women, she would nudge him: “I know you like this girl that you’re with right now… but I want you with Riri.”
At the time, he laughed it off. Rihanna was a friend, a global superstar, untouchable and brilliant—but certainly not a girlfriend. “I used to be like, ‘Ma, be cool. That’s just my friend,’” he joked.
Looking back, Rocky now sums it up simply: “Mothers know best.”
From friendship to love
Rihanna and Rocky’s story didn’t start with a red-carpet headline or tabloid frenzy. They met in 2012 during rehearsals for the MTV Video Music Awards and spent years collaborating professionally, from her 2011 hit Cockiness (Love It) to Fenty campaigns, all while remaining friends.
Their friendship eventually evolved. In late 2019, after Rihanna’s breakup with businessman Hassan Jameel, the duo took the next step. By November 2020, the relationship was confirmed, and their first joint appearance at the 2021 Met Gala left fans—and the internet, convinced this couple was different.
Timing and alignment
For Rocky, timing was everything. “I’m thankful she was put in my life at that time,” he said. “Any time before that, I don’t think I was ready. I don’t think she was either.”
Their bond isn’t just chemistry; it’s shared experience. Born the same year, Rocky’s father is from Barbados, Rihanna’s homeland. Their upbringings, values, and humor resonate in ways that feel both natural and profound. “We were on the same page,” Rocky said.
A modern family, quietly redefining love
Today, the couple shares three children, RZA Athelston Mayers, Riot Rose Mayers, and Rocki Irish Mayers, living a family life that balances public attention with private stability. Unlike many Hollywood romances, their love story doesn’t hinge on social media theatrics or viral gestures.
Rocky’s upcoming fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, and Rihanna’s continuing fashion and beauty empire are testament to their individual ambitions, yet their relationship remains grounded in shared respect and history.
A love story rooted in intuition
In the end, the quiet magic of their romance may come down to one simple truth: sometimes a mother’s intuition sees what the world doesn’t. For Rocky and Rihanna, it was a reminder that even amidst the glamour of Hollywood, love often begins at home, with someone saying, “Trust me, she’s real.”
Source: IOL
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