Rihanna made her first appearance in court in support of her partner, A$AP Rocky, as his former friend and alleged victim, Terell Ephron, testified about the moment the rapper supposedly fired a gun in his direction.
The global superstar, who shares two young sons with Rocky, sat alongside his mother and sister, keeping out of view from courtroom cameras. Her presence was a powerful statement, underscoring her unwavering support for the rapper as he faced serious legal charges.
Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, is currently on trial for allegedly firing a semi-automatic handgun at Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a firearm, maintaining that the allegations against him are false.
The courtroom atmosphere was tense as the high-profile trial progressed, with Rihanna’s attendance adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already widely publicized case.
Even before the trial began, Rocky’s legal team acknowledged the possibility of Rihanna attending proceedings to show her support. However, they also recognized the potential impact of her celebrity status on the case.
Prosecutors raised concerns during jury selection, questioning whether jurors might be swayed by the singer’s presence in court. Nearly half of the jury pool admitted to knowing who A$AP Rocky was, while almost all recognized Rihanna. Despite this, they assured the court that their knowledge of the celebrities would not influence their judgment.
It remains unclear whether the jury was aware of Rihanna’s presence during the testimony, as she arrived with the assistance of security before reporters were allowed inside. According to U.S. media reports, the singer remained out of public view and was not seen with Rocky outside the courtroom.
She also exited the courthouse through a restricted passage, ensuring that her appearance did not become the focus of the trial. Her decision to remain discreet suggested a desire to support Rocky without overshadowing the legal proceedings.
Rihanna’s courtroom appearance coincided with a crucial moment in the trial—the testimony of Terell Ephron, the prosecution’s key witness. The court had previously heard that Ephron and Rocky were once close friends, having been members of the A$AP creative collective since their high school days in New York.
However, their relationship soured over time, particularly after Rocky’s rise to fame. Ephron suggested that the tension between them had been building long before the alleged shooting took place.
According to Ephron, the incident occurred on a Hollywood street in 2021 following an argument that escalated into a physical altercation. He claimed that after an initial scuffle, Rocky began walking away.
However, Ephron, still fuming, continued shouting at the rapper. Moments later, he alleged, Rocky pulled a gun from his waistband, raised it in the air, and fired. The courtroom fell silent as Ephron described what happened next.
“He turned around and then it was like BOOM!” Ephron told the jury, reliving the moment with dramatic emphasis. “The whole thing was like a movie. He kind of pointed down and shot the first shot.”
He recalled a burning sensation in his hand immediately after the gun went off. “I felt hot. I was hit. Or grazed. I didn’t have a hole or anything, but I knew something happened.” His testimony painted a vivid picture of the alleged attack, intensifying the gravity of the accusations against Rocky.
Ephron further stated that after the first shot was fired, he instinctively grabbed a mutual friend who was present and used him as a shield. He did not witness Rocky fire a second shot but claimed the rapper fled the scene shortly afterward.
His account aimed to establish Rocky as the aggressor, though gaps in his recollection left room for doubt. Defense attorneys would later use these inconsistencies to challenge his credibility.
Rocky’s legal team has maintained that no real firearm was involved in the incident. Instead, they claim that the rapper had been carrying a starter pistol, a non-lethal prop used to signal the beginning of races or events.
They also asserted that Ephron was fully aware of this fact and was exaggerating his claims for personal or legal gain. When questioned about this in court, Ephron firmly dismissed the notion, responding, “Oh, it was a real gun.” His insistence set the stage for a heated legal battle over what truly happened that night.
Since the alleged shooting, Ephron claimed that his life had taken a drastic turn for the worse. He testified that he had received multiple death threats and that his once-promising career in music management had suffered as a result.
“It’s been a living hell,” he told the court, emphasizing the toll the incident had taken on him both personally and professionally. His testimony not only aimed to establish Rocky’s guilt but also to highlight the long-term consequences of the confrontation.
Rocky, who was raised in Harlem, first rose to prominence with the release of his debut studio album in 2013, which topped the Billboard 200 chart. His follow-up album, released in 2015, achieved similar success.
Over the past decade, he has solidified his reputation as a hip-hop heavyweight, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry. His career trajectory suggested that he was on the brink of even greater success—until his legal troubles put his future in jeopardy.
Despite his ongoing trial, 2025 was expected to be a monumental year for Rocky. He had recently earned his third Grammy nomination and was set to attend the upcoming awards ceremony.
Additionally, he had been booked as a headliner for the Rolling Loud Music Festival and was preparing to star alongside Denzel Washington in an upcoming crime drama directed by Spike Lee. Beyond music and film, he had also been named co-chair of the prestigious Met Gala, a role that underscored his influence in the fashion industry.
However, if convicted, all of these opportunities could slip away. Rocky faces a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison if found guilty of the charges against him. The stakes could not be higher, and every piece of testimony—every word spoken in court—carries immense weight. The rapper, once poised for superstardom, now finds himself fighting for his freedom.
As the trial progresses, all eyes remain on the courtroom, where the battle between the prosecution and the defense continues to unfold. Rihanna’s silent support may have spoken volumes, but ultimately, the jury will determine whether A$AP Rocky’s future lies in music, film, and fashion—or behind bars.
For now, the trial remains ongoing, and the world watches as one of hip-hop’s most high-profile legal battles inches closer to its conclusion.
