Rihanna is giving candid details on the early stages of her relationship with A$AP Rocky.

In a conversation published by Interview, the music and fashion mogul opened up about how the two started dating with “a lot of caution” after meeting in 2012 and developing a strong, yearslong friendship.

“We saw fashion the same. We saw creative the same. We ended up in the same circles a lot,” Rihanna said. “And past that, when we grew up, we ended up supporting each other’s brands and products and creative all the time. I would wear his shit, he would show up to my launches.”

The singer revealed that their dynamic didn’t take a romantic turn until the end of 2019. “We’ve known each other for a long time,” she said. “I’ve seen him in relationships. He’s seen me in relationships. We’ve seen each other outside of relationships. 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. And so, we started dating with a lot of caution.”

Rihanna added, “I just let whatever was supposed to happen, happen. It was just, ‘This is a flower. It’s either going to die or blossom. But I’m going to let it decide itself.’ ”

Spending time together during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made their bond even stronger. “COVID sped up our relationship, which I felt like God knew we needed, because we were going to start a family,” Rihanna recalled. “And had it not been for COVID, we would’ve taken a lot more time to get comfortable with each other, to even know that we were ready.”

Rumors about the couple’s romance first emerged in early 2020, following a joint appearance at the British Fashion Awards in December 2019. Since, the two have made several high-profile appearances together at events like the Golden Globes and the Met Gala. In 2022, they became parents when they welcomed their first son, RZA. The following year, they welcomed the arrival of their second son, Riot.

“In previous relationships, I tried and tried and tried my best, and you still feel like it’s not enough,” the singer reflected. “So when someone sees you completely, and believes in you, and thinks you’re worthy of being the mother of their kids, it’s a great feeling. I felt the same about him. I knew he would be a great dad.”

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As an associate editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey keeps a finger on the pulse on all things celeb news. She also writes on social movements, connecting with activists leading the fight on workers’ rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or buying yet another corset.