Huge congrats to Rihanna and boyfriend A$AP Rocky, who’ve become the proud parents to a baby boy after the superstar reportedly gave birth on 13 May in Los Angeles. But while the proud couple are said to be over the moon at their new arrival, we’re hearing the lead up to the birth was far from the idyll Rihanna hoped for – particularly as her plans to have her baby in Barbados went out of the window after Rocky’s recent arrest.
“Rihanna’s really been through it recently,” says an insider close to the singer, 34, who was good friends with the rapper for a decade before they got together in 2020.
“She was so stressed out about everything – her friends and family have been quite worried about her. She had a great team of doctors in LA, but even days before the birth, she was still fussing over the birthing suite and who should be on the guest list to meet the baby. She was so upset she couldn’t give birth in Barbados, surrounded by family and loved ones like she’d planned. It all had to be cancelled because of Rocky’s legal woes.”
The producer, 33, who recently called Rihanna “the love of my life”, was arrested in LA a month ago in connection with a shooting in November last year. Rocky – real name Rakim Mayers – was released on bail of $550k, and will appear in court on 17 August, which means he can’t leave the country before then.
Despite all that, friends say Rihanna has been going full steam ahead with wedding plans, with sources reporting that the singer has lined up “photographer pals” for an “imminent” ceremony.
The insider added, “It looks like it will happen soon. She’s been keeping her cards close to her chest, but it will be small and very romantic.” And we’re told the star is so determined, she’s falling out with anyone who dares question her. “Rihanna finds it so insulting that people are doubting Rocky or her plans,” says heat’s source.
“Her friends and family want her to take a few steps back and just focus on being a new parent, but she’s not listening. In fact, she’s told them she doesn’t want anyone at their wedding who’s not behind them 100 per cent. Rihanna’s been very clear that Rocky is her soulmate and she wants to marry him at the earliest opportunity.”