No, A$AP Rocky didn’t cheat on Rihanna — but rumours sure do travel fast

Over the past 24 hours, an out-and-out storm in a teacup was stirred up on Twitter that proves just how quickly unverified information can spread online.

It seems like pretty much everyone and their mothers have been keeping up to speed with Rihanna’s pregnancy since the singer, designer and entrepreneur revealed her bump back in January. The coolest baby announcement on record, Riri was papped wandering through Harlem with boyfriend A$AP Rocky in a hot pink Chanel coat and bare belly — would you expect anything less?

So, you can imagine the sheer levels of excitement once the world logged into Twitter and saw Rihanna’s name trending. Was there a birth announcement? An impromptu marriage? Had the singer finally released new music?

No such luck. The rumour began with a Tweet from @Louis_via_Roma that read; “Rihanna & ASAP Rocky have split. Rihanna broke up with him after she caught him cheating with shoe designer Amina Muaddi.” As you might imagine, high-pitched gasps, pearl clutching and a flurry of rapidly assembled memes ensued.

Amina Muaddi

Described by Vogue as ‘Hollywood’s favourite footwear designer’, Amina Muaddi has a well-earned reputation within the fashion industry and has maintained a long-term collaborative relationship with Rihanna. Designing and supplying shoes for Savage X Fenty, Muaddi wasn’t going to stand by and let the public put two successful entrepreneurs against one another.

Taking to Instagram stories to shut down the rumour mill, the award-winning designer wrote, “I’ve always believed that an unfounded lie spread on social media doesn’t deserve any response or clarification, especially one that is so vile… However in the last 24h I’ve been reminded that we live in a society that is so quick to speak on topics regardless of factual basis and nothing is off limits. Not even during what should be one of the most beautiful and celebrates times in one’s life.”

“I have to speak up as this is not only directed towards me but it is related to people I have a great amount of respect and affection for. While Rih is continuing to live her serene, best dressed pregnancy life and I go back to my business – I wish everyone a beautiful Easter weekend!”

Louis Pisano

With 21.2k followers on Twitter and 130k on Instagram, Louis Pisano is a writer and influencer who started the rumour after being allegedly tipped off from someone in the know. Allegedly.

They have since issued an apology on their Instagram story that mentions their sincere regret for causing “unnecessary drama” and that they “fully accept the consequences” the initial Tweet caused. Pisano also confirmed that they’ll be taking a break from Twitter to figure out how they can use social media in a positive way.

In a recent profile with Interview magazine, Pisano — who they described as Instagram’s messiest influencer — was asked what their morning routine consisted of. Louis answered with; “Check my phone to make sure I’m not starting the day off in some drama (that I probably caused online)… yeah, that aged well.

The happy couple

Both Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have remained silent so far, and while we would love to imagine that they’re entirely unphased by the media frenzy, all this unnecessary stress is not healthy for someone who should be enjoying the tail end of their pregnancy.

Revealing in her recent Vogue cover interview that the pair reconnected over lockdown, Riri certainly sounded all loved up to us. Speaking on their flourishing relationship, the Savage X Fenty founder said, “I just feel like I can do any part of life by his side.”

“What I love the most about us? Transparency with everything: how we’re feeling, what our goals are, what our fears and insecurities are. The vulnerability to be able to say what you feel about each other.” Rihanna and Rocky forever, no matter what’s trending on Twitter.

Feature image via Rihanna’s Instagram (@badgalriri)