Rihanna received acclaim for her ‘excellent’ reaction when a reporter posed a ‘dumb’ question to A$AP Rocky following his trial.
On Tuesday (February 18), A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, was acquitted of allegations that he had shot at a former friend in 2021.
The 36-year-old artist faced two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and the trial extended over two weeks after he rejected a plea deal, insisting on his innocence even though a guilty verdict could have led to a 24-year prison sentence.
On November 6, 2021, Terell Ephron, known as Relli, alleged that Rocky fired a gun at him twice.
Both Relli and Rocky were among a group of high school friends called the A$AP Mob.
Prosecutors accused Rocky of firing twice at Relli, while the defense contended that the ‘Sundress’ rapper had picked up a prop gun from a music video set for safety, thus firing only blanks.
Joe Tacopina, Rocky’s attorney, criticized Relli as an ‘angry pathological liar,’ and the jury ultimately acquitted Rocky.
Although Rocky emerged victorious from the trial, he lost a friend, leading a reporter to ask him shortly thereafter: “A$AP, how does it feel losing your childhood best friend?”
Rihanna, who is Rocky’s partner and mother to their two children, swiftly interjected, raising her hand towards the reporter to hush them before retorting: “How do you think it feels?”
Fans quickly took to social media to commend the singer’s reaction.
One Instagram user noted: “That’s a mother hand for sure. I know that hand when I see it. I was quieter and I wasn’t even talking.”
Another remarked: “Yesss, stand up for your man.”
A third added: “It’s a very dumb question lol.”
“Oh, she doesn’t play about her man. That was so unnecessary and insensitive as a question,” a fourth wrote.
And another concluded: “Excellent response.”
Later, Rocky expressed his gratitude to reporters: “I really want to thank the jury for making the right decision. I’m just so thankful. This is crazy right now.
“This entire experience has been overwhelming for the past four years, but I’m thankful, nonetheless, I’m thankful.
“Blessed to be here right now, to be a free man talking to y’all. Thank you.”
He later shared on Instagram: “The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy.”