Showbiz

EXCLUSIVE Real reason Rihanna was at A$AP Rocky’s trial after being accused of trying to manipulate jury

EXCLUSIVE
Real reason Rihanna was at A$AP Rocky's trial after being accused of trying to manipulate jury

Rihanna ‘was a rock’ for her partner A$AP Rocky amid his felony gun ᴀssault trial, his attorney told Dailymail.com exclusively Thursday.

The Umbrella singer, 37, provided a ‘sense of calm that was obvious’ when she attended the legal proceedings in Los Angeles, A$AP Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina said in an email interview.

‘As far as support, she was a rock for Rocky,’ Tacopina told Dailymail.com two days after the conclusion of the criminal trial Tuesday, in which the rapper, 36, was acquitted of a pair of counts of felony ᴀssault with a semiautomatic firearm.

Rihanna, who shares two children with A$AP Rocky, ‘obviously is enormously devoted and protective of her beautiful family, which included Rocky,’ Tacopina said.

The nine-time Grammy winner let out an audible sigh of relief after the verdicts were read, as A$AP Rocky faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted.

‘After the verdict, her emotions came to the forefront, crying, hugging Rocky, hugging me, hugging Rocky’s family,’ Tacopina said. ‘With me, she could not have been more appreciative of the work we were doing and was always gracious.’

EXCLUSIVE
Real reason Rihanna was at A$AP Rocky’s trial after being accused of trying to manipulate jury

Rihanna ‘was a rock’ for her partner A$AP Rocky amid his felony gun ᴀssault trial, his attorney told Dailymail.com exclusively Thursday. Pictured attending the trial in LA last month 

A$AP Rocky's lawyer Joe Tacopina (R) told Dailymail.com that Rihanna, 37, showed herself to be 'a very special person' throughout the arduous legal process. Pictured Tuesday in LA

A$AP Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina (R) told Dailymail.com that Rihanna, 37, showed herself to be ‘a very special person’ throughout the arduous legal process. Pictured Tuesday in LA 

Rihanna remains down to earth amid her mᴀssive success in entertainment and fashion, Tacopina told Dailymail.com Thursday, as she ‘treats everyone with respect and makes everyone feel good and important’ around her.’

Tacopina, who has past represented high-profile clients such as President Donald J. Trump, baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez and the late Michael Jackson, said that among the stars, Rihanna shines bright like a diamond. 

Read More A$AP Rocky heads to Chanel to buy birthday gifts for girlfriend Rihanna after court verdict article image

‘I have gotten to know Rihanna over the last three years and I have to tell you she is one of the nicest, most genuine, most real, superstars ever,’ Tacopina told Dailymail.com. 

Rihanna showed herself to be ‘a very special person’ throughout the arduous legal process, Tacopina said.

Rihanna had past channeled the words of another musical staple to show her devotion to partner A$AP Rocky, who wanted to shield her from the stress of the trial, Tacopina told reporters outside of the courthouse Tuesday.   

‘He didn’t want her there, he didn’t want her there,’ Tacopina said. ‘He was very protective of her. I was sort of supporting his decision to keep her away – the trial is not about Rihanna.

‘But you know, she called me one day and she said, “You know, Joe, wild horses aren’t gonna keep me away,’ paraphrasing the 1971 Rolling Stones classic.

Rihanna was insistent on being present and showing her support for her partner during the critical time, Tacopina said.

The Take A Bow songstress hugged the rapper after the verdict was announced Tuesday

The Take A Bow songstress hugged the rapper after the verdict was announced Tuesday

A$AP Rocky and his attorney Tacopina embraced after the verdicts were read Tuesday

A$AP Rocky and his attorney Tacopina embraced after the verdicts were read Tuesday

Rihanna, who shares two children with A$AP Rocky - 2-year-old RZA and 1-year-old Riot Rose  - 'obviously is enormously devoted and protective of her beautiful family,' Tacopina said

Rihanna, who shares two children with A$AP Rocky – 2-year-old RZA and 1-year-old Riot Rose  – ‘obviously is enormously devoted and protective of her beautiful family,’ Tacopina said 

Tacopina said Rihanna told him to let A$AP Rocky she was ‘coming and [to] deal with it,’ adding, ‘I’m like, “OK.”‘

Tacopina chat with the media in Los Angeles outside of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, where both Rihanna and A$AP Rocky celebrated after the not guilty verdicts were announced.

Read More See Rihanna shut down reporter that asked A$AP Rocky a rude question article image

On Tuesday, the jury reached a unanimous decision on A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, after deliberating for about three hours following the conclusion of closing arguments in the case last week.

The Harlem, New York-born entertainer, before going into the trial, had declined an offer from prosecutors of a six-month jail sentence and probation.

Under that offer, A$AP Rocky would have had to plead guilty to one count in the case, the AP reported.

A$AP Rocky celebrated the verdict with the S&M singer and his legal team, led by Tacopina, in the courtroom and after they left the building.

Prosecutors in the case said that the entertainer sH๏τ twice at his former pal A$AP Relli, who had been ᴀssociated with A$AP Rocky dating back to high school as part of the musical ensemble A$AP Mob.

A$AP Relli testified in the case that he was unharmed in the shooting, aside from a bullet grazing his knuckle. 

A$AP Relli - who had been ᴀssociated with A$AP Rocky dating back to high school as part of the musical ensemble A$AP Mob - testified in the case that he was unharmed in the shooting, aside from a bullet grazing his knuckle. Pictured January 29 testifying in the case

A$AP Relli – who had been ᴀssociated with A$AP Rocky dating back to high school as part of the musical ensemble A$AP Mob – testified in the case that he was unharmed in the shooting, aside from a bullet grazing his knuckle. Pictured January 29 testifying in the case

A$AP Rocky’s legal team said that the sH๏τs the rapper fired were actually blanks from a prop gun he obtained from the set of a music video he was working on, the AP reported.

The jury was instructed by the court that under the law, A$AP Rocky could not be found guilty, if they found him to be defending himself in the incident.

Read More Rihanna and A$AP Rocky head to Chick-fil-A after a wild day in court article image

The Barbados-born superstar songstress and fashion mogul had drawn attention during her outings to the court to support her boyfriend, who she shares two children with: RZA, two, and Riot Rose, one.

In multiple outings, Rihanna was seated between A$AP Rocky’s mother Renee Black and sister Erika B. Mayers.

The Diamonds artist had brought their young children to the court for closing arguments in the felony case.

The fashion mogul, who founded the company Fenty Beauty, was mentioned multiple times as attorneys conducted jury selection, amid speculation how her larger-than-life presence could sway jurors.

Following the verdict, jurors were led out of the courtroom and didn’t talk to the media as they departed, the AP reported. Tacopina in a post-verdict statement said jurors ‘saw through this mirage of a case’ in their swift verdict.

The attorney noted that the rapper ‘turned down a plea for almost no jail time because he was innocent.’

ASAP Rocky didn’t want Rihanna showing up to his court date, so Rihanna went behind Rocky’s back, called his lawyer, and said, “Wild horses aren’t going to keep me away.” 😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/vW39qTCqxh

— ۟ (@headnavy) February 19, 2025 A$AP Rocky was seen praying prior to being cleared in the felony case Tuesday

A$AP Rocky was seen praying prior to being cleared in the felony case Tuesday 

Tacopina and Rocky pictured during closing arguments last week in the trial

Tacopina and Rocky pictured during closing arguments last week in the trial 

Tacopina has past represented high-profile clients such as President Donald J. Trump, baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez and the late Michael Jackson

Tacopina has past represented high-profile clients such as President Donald J. Trump, baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez and the late Michael Jackson 

Deputy District Attorney John Lewin told jurors in closing arguments to disregard the presence of Rihanna amid the trial.

Lewin adding that he believed that the SOS songstress brought their children to the legal proceedings to sway the jury toward a not guilty verdict. 

‘You are not allowed to consider how this might affect Rihanna and his kids,’ Lewin told jurors. ‘We are all responsible for our own actions in the world.’ 

A$AP Rocky on Tuesday had been more than a half-hour late in arriving for the verdict reading – and ‘looked shaken and tense as he waited for it,’ the AP reported.

Tacopina said that ‘there was a moment when before we heard the words from the clerk, he didn´t know if he was going to be spending the next two decades in jail or going home.’

Tacopina said A$AP Rocky’s physical reaction to the verdict – leaping in celebration after hearing he was legally cleared – was ‘insane’ in a wonderful way.

‘I didn´t know how athletic he was,’ Tacopina said. ‘That was raw emotion, you guys got to see that. Even for us it was insane.’

District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman¿s office released a statement on Instagram after A$AP Rocky was cleared in the case

District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman’s office released a statement on Instagram after A$AP Rocky was cleared in the case

District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman’s office released a statement on Instagram after A$AP Rocky was cleared in the case.

‘While today’s verdict is not the outcome we sought, we respect the jury’s decision and the integrity of our justice system,’ Hochman said. ‘Our office remains committed to seeking accountability for those who break the law, no matter their status or influence.

Hochman said that Hollywood celebrities should not expect special treatment if they break the law.  

‘Fame does not place anyone above the law, and we will not waver in our pursuit of justice for victims and the community,’ Hochman said. ‘Our mission remains clear: to uphold the law, protect public safety, and ensure justice for all.’ 

A$AP Rocky, whose recent singles include Highjack, Tailor Swif and Ruby Rosary, has a busy slate professionally following the conclusion of the case. 

Next month, he will be at the Rolling Loud music festival in Los Angeles, as he’s one of the principle headliners along with Playboi Carti and Peso Pluma.

This May, he’s slated to be a celebrity co-chair at the Met Gala, where Rihanna has made for multiple memorable moments in the past.

He also appears this summer in the upcoming Spike Lee motion picture Highest 2 Lowest, along with an impressive cast headlined by Denzel Washington and featuring Jeffrey Wright, Dean Winters and Ice Spice.

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