After much speculation, Rihanna finally confirmed that she is expecting her first child with boyfriend A$AP Rocky. Photos of the couple walking around New York City with the singer’s baby bump exposed spread like wildfire on the internet. Fans were shocked and happy for the fashionable couple.
rihanna and rocky so beautiful, so i know that baby bout to be gorgeous af.
— ky 🦋 (@kyjanaee) January 31, 2022
So happy for Rihanna now is her time
— chloexhalle (@LGoldenprofits) January 31, 2022
The “Diamonds” singer sparked pregnancy rumors last year when fans pointed out her consistently wearing baggy clothing. However, she denied the claims. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have been friends for years before ultimately dating in 2020.
They have both even talked about having kids. In a 2020 interview with British Vogue, Rihanna revealed that she planned to have three to four kids in the next 10 years, with or without a man in her life. "I feel like society makes me want to feel like, 'Oh, you got it wrong …' They diminish you as a mother if there's not a dad in your kids' lives. But the only thing that matters is happiness; that's the only healthy relationship between a parent and a child. That's the only thing that can raise a child truly, is love."
And in the June/July 2021 issue of GQ, the Harlem rapper gushed about the singer calling her “the One” and spoke on fatherhood. "I think I'd be an incredible, remarkably overall amazing dad. I would have a very fly child. Very," he said. We agree!
Here’s a timeline of how their love began.
2012
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky collaborated on the remix of the singer’s song “Cockiness (Love It)” and they performed together at the VMA’s that same year.
2013
The singer starred as the leading lady in A$AP Rocky’s music video for “Fashion Killa.”
2018
They were both spotted sitting front row at the Louis Vuttion show during Paris Fashion Week in June.
2019
Jeff Spicer/BFC/Getty ImagesRihanna and A$AP Rocky walked the red carpet together at the British Fashion Awards (as friends.) They both were wearing Rih Rih’s Fenty brand.
Jan. 2020
Rumors began that Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were dating after she reportedly broke up with Hassan Jameel and was seen hanging out with the rapper.
Aug. 2020
The two teamed up to promote Rih’s Fenty Skin brand. They appeared in a video for GQ where the “Praise The Lord” rapper had to answer 18 questions from the “What’s My Name?” singer.
Dec. 2020
After reports confirmed that they were dating the “jiggy” rapper was spotted spending Christmas in Rihanna’s home country of Barbados.
Jan. 2021
Rihanna posted photos wearing the Amina Muaddi x AWGE LSD Gladi Thigh Heel, which Rocky designed in collaboration with the footwear designer.
May 2021
The “Wild for the Night” rapper opened up about his love for Rihanna in GQ. "So much better when you got the One,” he said. “She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones. I think when you know, you know. She's the One."
Sept. 2021
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made their red carpet debut as a couple at The Met Gala.
Jan. 2022
The couple "announced" that they are expecting their first child together. Click here to see more of the photos from her paparazzi baby bump stroll.
Congratulations to the parents-to-be!
Featured image by Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty Images
Despite Washington and Asomugha choosing to live a relatively private life for the most part by not sharing images of their family on social media and occasionally attending events together. The rare glimpses they provide to the public showcase that Washington and Asomugha have much in common regarding essential topics.
For example, Washington is highly involved in politics and encourages others to participate by spreading information about various issues and how everyone would be affected.
As for Asomugha, the 41-year-old officially founded the Asomugha Foundation in 2010, years after doing other charity work in Nigeria. According to its site, the organization was created to help "disadvantaged youth and women by providing educational opportunities and mentorship."
Washington's public remarks regarding her relationship with Asomugha and their family may be rare, but when she does speak about their family, it's all positive.
Kerry On Why She Keeps Her Relationship Private
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bronx Children's Museum
In March 2016, the UnPrisioned actress revealed during a discussion panel at SXSW Festival that one of the reasons why she is adamant about remaining private about her union with Asomugha is because she doesn't want the public to make any narratives regarding her marriage.
At the time, it was reported that Washington and the former NFL player were experiencing marital troubles and were allegedly planning on getting a divorce. Washington would shut down those allegations by saying she hasn't and will not share any information about her private life.
"Social media has actually been great for [other celebrities'] relationships with the weeklies or the gossip sites because people say things and they say, 'That's not true!' So I'm thinking in some ways, it's been great because people are able to maintain their voice," she explained.
"It's a little different for me because I don't talk about my personal life. That means not only did I not tell you when I was getting married, it also means if somebody has rumors about what's going on in my marriage, I don't refute them, because I don't talk about my personal life."
Kerry On How She Met Nnamdi And What A Normal Day Looks Like for Their Family
Fast forward to October 2018, the Scandal star gave insight into how she met Asomugha and their family life. During an interview with Marie Claire, Washington shared that she and Asomugha met in 2009 while she was working on the Broadway play Race.
The mother of two told the publication that her life has "completely transformed" since their encounter. "The last time I did theater, it completely transformed my life. That's where I met my husband. I love being with my family. My days off look like homework, reading, and watching stuff. Just hanging out, doing things we love to do," she stated.
Kerry On Nnamdi's Accomplishment
Photo by Jeffrey Camarati/Getty Images
But as time progressed, Washington began speaking a little more openly about her man. In October 2022, Washington gushed over Asomugha and his Netflix project, The Good Nurse, which came out around the same time her film, The School for Good and Evil, was released. While talking to Entertainment Tonight, the star expressed how "proud" she was of her husband.
"I'm really proud of him, I think he's doing amazing work. I'm really excited for his film, The Good Nurse," she said. "It's really exciting to both have really important films at Netflix right now, we feel really blessed.”
Kerry On Why Nnamdi Is Her Soulmate
Washington shared how her love with Asomugha goes beyond the surface after spending over a decade together.
In a March 2023 interview with Marie Claire, Washington explained that she and Asomugha are perfectly aligned because she's allowed to be her authentic self with him.
"I'm in my immediate truth with [him]," Washington said. "Those mirrors are important because they help me get back to myself."
Kerry On The Couple's Upcoming 10-Year Wedding Anniversary
Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images
That same month, Washington expressed that in addition to the many years the couple has been together, and their personal and professional accomplishments, she still finds Asomugha "incredible."
Washington shared this revelation while promoting her latest project, UnPrisioned, in an Entertainment Tonight interview.
"I do have an incredible husband," the actress told ET host Kevin Frazier as she disclosed little to no details about their upcoming plans for their tenth wedding anniversary. "Do you remember how secret my wedding was? How private and secretive it was? That's how the anniversary is gonna be too!"
Kerry On Why She Thinks Nnamdi And Their Children Are A Gift From God
Washington's love and admiration for Asomugha and their family grow increasingly each day, so much so that she uses it as inspiration to share positive messages with her fans.
The 46-year-old revealed during a panel with Al Sharpton at National Action Network Convention on April 12 that she sees her husband and their children as "proof" that God exists and loves her because of the great joy they bring to her life.
"Well, you've met my husband, my husband's amazing. I got a good one. We have three beautiful children. And I think, you know, when I look at my marriage, and I look at my kids, fundamentally, they are proof of God to me,” she said. "Because I know that God loves me to have put those people in my life. And that sense of like, knowing that God loves me. That, to me, is so much of how I make the decisions about the activism that I do and the content that I make."
Regardless of what the public may think about Washington and Asomugha's private union, they are proving with each moment that love can conquer all.
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Feature image by Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
