Rihanna and her common-law husband A$AP Rocky were prepared to flee the country if Rocky was convicted on assault charges on Tuesday.
If Rocky was found guilty, he would have immediately appealed the verdict. Meanwhile, he would be free on bond while awaiting the appeals process.
But Rihanna wasn’t taking any chances. Her private jet was fueled and waiting for them on the tarmac at a local airport, according to sources. Her career was hanging in the balance. No one would want to work with a woman who was harboring a fugitive in another country.
Rihanna was terrified that Rocky would be found guilty. She looked scared stiff as she entered the courthouse for the verdict on Tuesday. Friends say RiRi was ready to give up her career and her life in America to flee with her man if he was convicted.
She was seated in the back of the courtroom near the door. If he was convicted, Rihanna was ready to run and grab her sons to meet Rocky at the airport.
Rihanna was afraid to raise their two sons, RZA and Riot Rose, alone without a man to guide them.
But Rihanna and Rocky’s prayers were answered when a non-Black jury acquitted him of shooting his former friend, A$AP Relli, in Hollywood in 2021.
After listening to closing arguments on Friday, and taking off for President’s Day on Monday, the jury deliberated on Tuesday and acquitted the rapper.
Rocky was ecstatic as soon as the verdict was read. He turned and hugged a friend before leaping into Rihanna’s arms a few rows behind him. Rihanna burst into tears when the verdict was read. She was relieved that her life wasn’t turned upside down.
Asap rocky jumps and hugs Rihanna after being found not guilty pic.twitter.com/Cg1SpkvsDx
— f? (@ohfold) February 19, 2025
Rocky had reason to jump for joy: he faced 24 years hard time in a California prison if found guilty.
But Rihanna had a plan. Sources say Rihanna and Rocky, both 36, were prepared to flee the country for her native Barbados. Rocky also has ties to Barbados: his father was born there.
Another option for the world travelers was Bali, where disgraced mogul Russell Simmons is hiding out amid lawsuits and a threat of prison time in America.
Neither country has an extradition treaty with the United States, meaning they can’t be forced to send fugitives back to the U.S. to face charges.
Thankfully, Rihanna and Rocky didn’t have to leave her career and friends behind in the U.S.
Rihanna spoke out after the trial in a post on her Instagram Stories. “The glory belongs to God and God alone!” she wrote. “Thankful. Humbled by his mercy.”
