THE ROAD TO ROCKY

IN A RARE CHAT, THE SUPERSTAR SPEAKS ABOUT LOVE, LIFE AND MOTHERHOOD

One of Rihanna's earliest interactions with ASAP Rocky, the father of her two sons, was cheeky to say the least.

After a brief introduction at rehearsals for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, the rapper (born Rakim Athelaston Mayers), boldly made his move at the awards show later that night.

"He grabbed my ass!" the Barbadian beauty, 36, revealed during a sit-down with Interview magazine, noting her team sensed a potential love connection when she didn't seem too bothered by it. The pair then collaborated a few times - she starred as his muse in the video for 'Fashion Killa', the same year he opened for her Diamonds World Tour-but they remained just friends, bonded by their shared love of fashion and music.

Something changed though, in late 2019, soon after Rihanna's relationship with Saudi billionaire businessman Hassan Jameel ended, but they proceeded with caution.

"We knew what we're capable of, and the trouble that we could bring to each other's lives. We can make or break each other's hearts," Rihanna shared with Interview, adding that COVID lockdowns forced them to get comfortable with each other, fast.