Rihanna Supports A$AP Rocky in Court as Key Witness Testifies During His Trial | Entertainment & Arts News
Rihanna made her first court appearance to support her partner A$AP Rocky, as his former friend testified about an incident where the rapper allegedly discharged a firearm in his direction.
The renowned artist, who shares two young sons with Rocky, was seated beside his mother and sister, out of the sight of the cameras in the Los Angeles criminal courtroom on Wednesday.
Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, is facing allegations of firing a handgun at his ex-friend Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli.
He has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
The couple, seen last month, are parents to two young sons. Pic: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Prior to the start of the trial last week, the star’s legal team indicated that Rihanna might attend to express her support, considering the potential influence of her celebrity status on the proceedings.
As jurors were selected, prosecutors inquired if Rihanna’s presence, particularly in the courtroom, could sway their decisions.
Nearly half the initial jurors acknowledged having heard of A$AP Rocky, while almost all were familiar with Rihanna. All affirmed they believed her presence would have no influence.
It remained unclear whether the jury had any awareness of Rihanna’s attendance as they listened to the testimony. She entered the courtroom with assistance from security, prior to the reporters’ arrival, and did not leave with Rocky afterwards, according to U.S. media reports.
Additionally, she exited separately through a restricted route, as reported by the Associated Press.
The star, famous for hits like Umbrella, Diamonds, and Work, was present as Ephron, the main witness of the trial, began his testimony.
Who is the key witness and what has he testified?
Terell Ephron, aka A$AP Relli, has testified. Pic: Frazer Harrison/Pool via AP
Ephron and Rocky were part of the A$AP crew of creators during their time at a New York high school, as the court has previously noted.
Though they were once close, Ephron indicated that their bond deteriorated following Rocky’s rise to fame.
It is alleged that Rocky discharged the firearm at Ephron on a street in Hollywood in 2021.
As he testified, Ephron stated that he had been yelling at the rapper, who was attempting to walk away after an initial confrontation and altercation.
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According to Ephron, Rocky then retrieved a firearm from his waistband and held it up. Ephron recounted, “He turned around and then it was like BOOM! The entire scene resembled a movie; he pointed it down and fired the first shot.”
He described feeling a “hot” sensation in his hand, adding, “I was either hit or grazed; I didn’t sustain a full hole.”
Ephron disclosed that he rushed to grab a mutual friend for protection after he believed the initial shot had been fired. He noted he did not witness Rocky fire a second shot, and that the rapper fled shortly thereafter.
What have Rocky’s lawyers argued?
The rapper’s legal team asserts that he did not possess a real gun. Pic: Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via AP
Rocky’s attorney previously informed the court that the gun was not genuine, asserting that the rapper discharged shots from a prop starter pistol.
Ephron was aware of this, he stated. Yet, when questioned in court, Ephron affirmed: “Oh, it was a real gun”.
The court learned that Ephron has faced death threats since the incident and has seen a decline in his music management career.
“It’s been a living nightmare,” Ephron remarked.
From courtroom to Grammys
Rocky, who was raised in Harlem, achieved mainstream recognition when his debut studio album reached the top of the Billboard 200 in 2013. His second album, released in 2015, similarly topped the charts.
His career was poised for even greater heights in 2025, beginning with his third Grammy nomination at this year’s awards ceremony set for Sunday.
The rapper is also scheduled to headline the Rolling Loud Music Festival, star alongside Denzel Washington in a Spike Lee-directed crime drama, and co-chair the Met Gala fashion event in May.
If convicted, he faces a maximum prison sentence of 24 years.
The trial is ongoing.
