Rihanna revealed her third pregnancy at the Met Gala. Here's a complete timeline of her relationship with A$AP Rocky.
Rocky confirmed their relationship in May 2021, calling Rihanna "the one."
The musicians are expecting their third child to join sons RZA and Riot.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky became partners nearly a decade after they teamed up for the first time.
Throughout their friendship and blossoming romance, Rihanna kept busy with chart-topping songs like "Work" and "We Found Love" — as well as billion-dollar companies like Savage X Fenty and Fenty Beauty — while Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, also built a formidable reputation in the music industry with hits like " F**kin' Problems" and "Sundress."
The two artists have always been supportive of each other's careers, whether starring together in music videos or partnering up for skincare campaigns. They finally confirmed their rumored romance in 2021 and welcomed their first child the following year.
Here's a complete timeline of Rihanna and Rocky's relationship so far.
Ashley Simone Johnson contributed reporting to this article.
September 6, 2012: They perform together at the MTV Video Music Awards
Rihanna and Rocky first paired up when she tapped him to feature on the remix of her song, " Cockiness (Love It)," which was released online on September 7, 2012.
The day before, they performed their remix together at the VMAs, where Rocky grabbed Rihanna's butt and gave her a peck on the cheek.
Rihanna later told Vogue the PDA wasn't planned.
"He grabbed my ass on stage. That was not part of the rehearsal!" she revealed. "I was like, 'What are you doing!?'"
She also said her team was shocked when she didn't get upset: "My manager was like, 'Oh, God, she must like this guy a little bit. She never lets this shit slide.'"
March 2013: Rocky joins Rihanna on tour
Rihanna recruited the "Goldie" rapper to be her opening act on the Diamonds World Tour.
The tour included 28 stops and ended on May 5, 2013.
April 10, 2013: Rocky denies dating rumors
Rocky clarified his relationship status while on set for A$AP Ferg's "Work" remix video.
"Yeah, I expected people to say that me and Rihanna were sleeping around. We're just cool," he told MTV. "Man, dudes be tryin' to front like they tappin' Rihanna's [anatomy] and all that, but they don't be hittin' it."
"I aint hittin' it either. I'm just cool with her. I don't even look at her like that. She's sexy, but I'm good," he continued.
"That's really a friend. She supports me, man. She's bringing me out, she ain't have to do that. That girl came to my Coachella a year ago. I got nothing but love for Rih Rih; that's the homey right there. I ain't tryin' to get in no trouble with no Rihanna rumors."
September 2013: Rihanna stars in Rocky's 'Fashion Killa' music video
Rihanna starred as Rocky's love interest in his video for "Fashion Killa," a single from his debut studio album, "Long. Live. A$AP."
In an interview with 106 & Park, the rapper was asked why he chose Rihanna to be in his video, to which he replied, "She's a fashion killa in my eyes. I respect her jigginess. I respect her fashion sense."
He added: "The chemistry was just organic. We were cool, we were chilling, it was whatever. We were faded. We were having fun."
While filming the music video, they took to Instagram to post "couple-y" behind-the-scenes photos, according to Teen Vogue.
At this time, however, Rocky was reportedly dating Chanel Iman.
May 27, 2015: Rocky discusses his breakup with Iman and his relationship with Rihanna
In an interview with Hot 97, the rapper opened up about his split from the model after nearly two years of dating.
"I was so in love. To this day, it's all good. I think for me, we're young and it was something that was so real that it was so serious," he explained. "I would say perfect girl, wrong time. I'm not OK with losing her, but that's the way of the world. It's not meant to work right now."
When asked about a potential romance with Rihanna, he replied, "It never happened. If it happened, then it would have happened. We didn't do that."
"You never know," Rocky continued. "That's not what I'm looking forward to. I'm looking forward to the friendship that I already have with all these females because life is so complicated."
June 2018: The duo are photographed looking cozy during Paris Fashion Week
The pair sat side-by-side in the front row at a Louis Vuitton show. They were photographed smiling and getting close, Rocky's arm draped around Rihanna.
At the time, Rihanna was apparently dating Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel, while Rocky had recently been linked to Kendall Jenner.
September 2018: Rocky attends Rihanna's Diamond Ball
The rapper attended the annual event in New York City to support Rihanna's foundation, which helps raise funds to improve healthcare and education programs worldwide.
January 2019: Rocky opens up about his love life
During an interview on The Angie Martinez Show, Rocky confirmed he was in a new relationship with a "regular" girl.
"I prefer long-term friendships and relationships and acquaintances as opposed to one-night stands or just going out with somebody, then having them be your ex and hating them," he said. "That's why, for me, if I get involved with a female, nine times out of 10, she's going to be in my life from that point moving forward."
At the time, Rocky was rumored to be dating Top Shop model Jasmine Daniels. Eight months later, however, he stepped out with Brazilian model Daiane Sodré.
Later that year, Rocky revealed he's "been a sex addict for some time."
"These are things people stay away from, they don't like to admit. I can't be embarrassed about it. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I won't do nothing that I'm not proud speaking of," he told Martinez during an episode of "Untold Stories of Hip Hop."
When Martinez asked if he's "capable of a monogamous relationship," Rocky replied, "Yes, of course."
September 2019: Rocky attends the Diamond Ball again
The "Babushka Boi" rapper came out to support his friend's charity event for the second year in a row.
December 2, 2019: Rocky and Rihanna pose for red carpet photos at the British Fashion Awards
The superstars were by each other's sides for yet another event, the British Fashion Awards, where Rihanna accepted the Urban Luxe award for her Fenty sportswear.
Rihanna shared a series of photos on Instagram to mark the occasion, including two photos of herself with Rocky on the red carpet. She wrote in the caption, "Thank you @asaprocky for representing us on the carpet and always being so supportive of @Fenty !!"
December 11, 2019: Rihanna is spotted in the crowd at Rocky's concert in Stockholm
Shortly after Rihanna was reportedly hanging out with Rocky's entourage after his Rolling Loud set in New York City, the beauty mogul was spotted in the crowd at the rapper's concert in Sweden.
Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you.
Continue
By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .
January 17, 2020: They hang out at the 2020 Yams Day Benefit Concert
Following her widely reported split from Jameel, Rihanna was seen hanging out with Rocky and Drake at the annual charity concert, which Rocky organizes and headlines with his musical group, A$AP Mob.
Later that same day, Rihanna and Rocky were photographed sharing laughs while attending a concert in New York, according to The Sun.
February 11, 2020: They share a meal at Nice Guy amid reports of 'hooking up'
The pair organized a clandestine meet-up at the West Hollywood restaurant Nice Guy. As reported by OK! Magazine, they arrived separately, and Rocky kept his hood over his head throughout dinner.
A few days prior, an anonymous source told Us Weekly, "Rihanna and A$AP are hanging out and hooking up. They're having fun and have always had chemistry."
Summer 2020: Their relationship becomes serious during a cross-country road trip
In a 2022 interview with Vogue, Rihanna confirmed that it "took a while" for Rocky to get out of the "friend zone," but said they began dating at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
That summer, they drove from Los Angeles to New York together in a tour bus.
"He became my family in that time," she said.
According to Vogue editor Chioma Nnadi, "They'd park and Rihanna would grill barefoot while Rocky tie-dyed T-shirts picked up at the gas station."
"I love the simple things but also the grand adventures," Rihanna told Nnadi. "There's no pretentious my-brand-your-brand bullshit, it's just us living. I just feel like I can do any part of life by his side."
July 2020: Rihanna recruits Rocky for her Fenty Skin campaign
The two artists did a photo shoot together to promote the Fenty Beauty founder's new skincare line.
August 26, 2020: Rocky interviews Rihanna for Vogue
During a filmed interview, the two seemed giddy and couldn't stop laughing as Rihanna answered 15 questions from Rocky, mainly about fashion and skincare.
At one point, Rihanna told the rapper he has "pretty skin."
She also asked him about the hardest part about working on her Fenty Skin campaign, to which he replied, "I think the hardest part about working with you is not goofin' off and laughing the whole time."
"Like, this shit is comedy. That's the hardest part," he continued. "You know, people be so cool it's hard not to, not to laugh. That's all. But it was fun. The hardest part is not having too much fun. You just forget that it's still, you know, work at the end of the day."
At the end of the interview, Rocky thanked Rihanna for "identifying my beauty as a man."
"I appreciate you, like for real, for real," he continued. "It was good catching up with you and everything."
November 30, 2020: People magazine confirms reports of their romance
After months of dating rumors, an anonymous source told People that Rihanna and Rocky had made their relationship official. At the time, neither star directly corroborated this claim.
Late 2020: They grab dinner in New York and stroll around the city together
In November 2020, Rihanna and Rocky were seen having dinner with a group of friends at the Beatrice Inn, a restaurant in the West Village, according to Page Six.
The following month, the couple was spotted walking side-by-side at night, wearing winter coats and masks.
An anonymous source told People, "They've been inseparable the past few weeks," adding, "It's a new relationship, but they both seem very into it."
December 29, 2020: Rocky meets Rihanna's family in Barbados
During the Christmas holiday, Rihanna brought Rocky on vacation to Barbados, her home country.
TMZ published photos of the couple jet skiing, tubing, and going on dinner dates. They were also photographed kissing on a boat, all but confirming their romantic relationship.
Rihanna later told Vogue that she brought Rocky home to meet her family.
"My mother has a really good read on people. She observes first and then she'll move slowly. I guess I'm like that too," she said. "There are some guys that I've dated that she won't even look at to this day. But she was charmed by him from the jump."
After returning to New York in January, the couple was seen having dinner with a group of friends at the Italian restaurant Emilio's Ballato, according to E! News. A few months later, their courtship was still going strong; they attended a dinner party in April at the Los Angeles hot spot Delilah.
May 19, 2021: Rocky confirms their romantic relationship and calls Rihanna 'the one'
In a cover story for GQ, the rapper called Rihanna "my lady" and "the love of my life," officially confirming the dating rumors.
"So much better when you got 'the one.' She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones," he said. "I think when you know, you know. She's the one."
A post shared by GQ (@gq)
Rocky also revealed that Rihanna had "absolutely" inspired some of his new music and has given feedback on his working projects.
"It's important to have somebody that you can bounce those creative juices and ideas off of. It's just a different point of view," he said.
The Harlem-born hitmaker even discussed parenthood, saying he's "absolutely" ready to become a father, "if that's in my destiny."
"I think I'd be an incredible, remarkably, overall amazing dad," he told GQ. "I would have a very fly child. Very."
June 27, 2021: Rocky literally sweeps Rihanna off her feet
During a date night in Manhattan, the self-titled "Pretty Boy Flacko" scooped Rihanna up and carried her through the Lower East Side, according to TMZ.
July 10, 2021: Rihanna and Rocky are spotted filming a new project in New York City
The musicians were seen hugging and holding hands as they took a stroll through the Bronx with a film crew.
The following day, the couple was photographed sitting and smiling on a fire escape in the same borough, film crew on hand.
They coordinated with colorful, fuzzy attire: Rihanna donned a pink oversized coat, while Rocky wore a puffy green Eskimo hat.
Later that month, the pair traveled to Florida together. They dined at Miami's World Famous House of Mac and had dinner with the restaurant's owner, Derrick Turton, according to the Daily Mail.
Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you.
What is your job title? (1 of 2)
Entry level position
Project manager
Management
Senior management
Executive management
Student
Self-employed
Retired
Other
Continue
By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .
September 6, 2021: Nicki Minaj shares a photo with Rihanna and Rocky
The happy couple spent an evening hanging out at the Petty residence, posing for a cozy photo on the sofa with Minaj, as well as her husband and son.
A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj)
Minaj posted the group shot on Instagram, writing in the caption, "Love her downnnnnnn." She also added the hashtags "Queen Rih" and "Caribbean girls run it."
September 13, 2021: They make their red carpet debut as a couple at the Met Gala
The couple arrived late to the famed fundraiser, but made plenty of time to pose together on the red carpet.
The Fenty Beauty founder wore an all-black Balenciaga ensemble for the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" theme, while the stylish rapper wore a patterned multicolored quilt designed by ERL.
Rocky later took off the quilt to reveal a suit underneath, while his girlfriend looked on lovingly.
It was the first time Rihanna had made an official public appearance with a man since the 2013 Grammy Awards.
January 31, 2022: The couple reveals they're expecting their first child
Rihanna and Rocky were photographed walking hand-in-hand through his hometown of Harlem on January 28.
In the set of photos — published by Page Six, the Daily Mail, and People three days later — Rihanna's coat was strategically unbuttoned to reveal her growing baby bump, which she adorned with a bejeweled body chain.
It would be the first child for both Rihanna and Rocky, who had previously discussed their eagerness for parenthood.
Back in March 2020, Rihanna told British Vogue that she planned to have "three or four" kids in the next 10 years, even if she didn't have a partner.
During her third trimester, Rihanna told Vogue that she and Rocky weren't necessarily planning to start a family, "but certainly not planning against it."
"I don't know when I ovulate or any of that type of shit. We just had fun," she said. "And then it was just there on the test. I didn't waste any time. I called him inside and showed him. Then I was in the doctor's office the next morning and our journey began."
May 5, 2022: Rihanna stars in the music video for Rocky's 'D.M.B.'
The "D.M.B." music video was revealed to be the project that Rocky and Rihanna were filming in July 2021.
In one scene, Rocky wears a grill that clearly says "Marry me?" while Rihanna wears one that says "I do."
In another scene, Rocky removes a red veil from Rihanna's face, reminiscent of a wedding. The couple then walks down a hallway arm-in-arm while people clap and throw flower petals.
Rocky wrote and directed the video, which he billed as a "ghetto love tale" on his Instagram.
May 13, 2022: Rihanna gives birth to a baby boy
According to reports, Rihanna and Rocky welcomed a son on May 13, 2022, although the news didn't make headlines for another week.
Five months later, the couple still hadn't shared their son's name.
"We just didn't get around to it yet really," Rihanna told the Washington Post in November, per Hypebae. "We've just been living, but I guess there's a certain freedom that comes with kind of just, like, getting it out there."
December 19, 2022: Rihanna shares the first video of their son
For her TikTok debut, Rihanna shared the first look at her baby boy in a car seat, laughing and smiling at the camera.
Rihanna had previously told Entertainment Tonight that her son is a "happy baby" and that waking up to his face is her favorite part of motherhood.
February 12, 2023: Rihanna reveals her second pregnancy while headlining the Super Bowl halftime show
Rihanna took the stage at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, in a red jumpsuit — strategically unzipped to reveal her growing baby bump.
A representative for the singer confirmed her pregnancy to The Hollywood Reporter immediately following the performance.
February 15, 2023: Their family is featured on the cover of British Vogue
Rihanna, Rocky, and their son posed for the magazine's March 2023 issue, shot by photographers Inez & Vinoodh.
For her first in-depth interview since giving birth, Rihanna opened up about her "legendary" experience with motherhood thus far.
"It's everything. You really don't remember life before, that's the craziest thing ever," she said. "You literally try to remember it — and there are photos of my life before — but the feeling, the desires, the things that you enjoy, everything, you just don't identify with it because you don't even allow yourself mentally to get that far, because... Because it doesn't matter."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri)
She also said becoming parents has made her and Rocky stronger as a couple.
"We're best friends with a baby," she said. "We have to be on the same page, but we've always kind of had that in our relationship. Everything changes when you have a baby but I wouldn't say it's done anything but made us closer."
The couple continued to decline to reveal their son's name, insisting on calling him "baby" in the presence of Vogue's reporter.
May 1, 2023: Once again, Rihanna and Rocky walk the Met Gala red carpet together
Rihanna showed off her growing baby bump while wearing custom Valentino Haute Couture.
May 10, 2023: Their son's name is revealed to be RZA
One year after Rihanna gave birth to her son, The Daily Mail obtained a copy of his birth certificate and revealed his name: RZA Athelston Mayers.
His first name is likely a tribute to the legendary hip-hop artist RZA (pronounced "Rizza"), leader of the Wu-Tang Clan.
August 2023: The couple welcomes their second child, a son named Riot Rose
On August 21, 2023, TMZ broke the news that Rihanna had given birth earlier in the month, although the exact date isn't known.
People later confirmed the report, citing anonymous sources close to the couple.
The following month, Access Hollywood obtained a copy of the birth certificate, which listed the baby boy's name as Riot Rose Mayers. He shares a first name with Rocky's 2023 single " Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)."
Rihanna later revealed the name was proposed by Pharrell Williams, who produced Rocky's song.
"He gave us this name thinking it was going to be a girl, because he had seen something online," she told Harper's Bazaar. "Pharrell is very deep. He's not surface. He will never say anything and just leave it there with a full stop. He will have the entire history: the energy, the time, the month that it is."
May 5, 2025: Rihanna reveals her third pregnancy at the Met Gala
Before arriving at the Met Gala, Rihanna was photographed outside the Carlyle Hotel wearing a form-fitting Miu Miu set that showed off her baby bump.
Hours later, Rihanna arrived on the Met Gala red carpet in a carefully tailored Marc Jacobs suit dress, nailing the theme of " Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."
Rocky, who was a co-chair for the event, told reporters on the red carpet that it felt "amazing" to reveal the family's news.
"It's time that we show the people what we was cooking up," he said, per the Associated Press. "I'm glad everybody's happy for us 'cause we definitely happy, you know."
However, Rihanna also shut down wedding rumors during a red carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight.
Asked if her recent bridal collection for Savage X Fenty meant she had "another milestone" to share with fans, Rihanna replied, "No, girl, you know I don't keep secrets very well."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
Sharon Stone will play the villain — on one condition
Sharon Stone has been asked to play the villain so many times in her career that she's lost count. But she gets it. Her most famous role, playing the ice-pick-wielding seductress Catherine Tramell in the 1992 sensation "Basic Instinct," turned her from a 1980s B-movie starlet into an international sex symbol, while her character instantly became an iconic movie villain. So when she got the call recently from Universal asking if she'd be up for playing the baddie in "Nobody 2," the sequel to the ultra-violent 2021 thriller starring Bob Odenkirk as an unlikely assassin, she was ready to pass. "I just don't want to play a cookie-cutter villain, which is something that I really have a thing about," Stone, 67, told Business Insider over Zoom from her home, sporting light blue shades she'd often take off when she got excited while telling a story. "After 'Basic Instinct,' everybody wanted me to play a villain. But that was not cookie-cutter; it was a villain that touched upon the zeitgeist of the moment. That was why it was so specifically successful, and why it remains interesting to watch." So Stone came back to the studio with an idea for a character she'd been thinking about playing since watching her three sons play violent video games during the pandemic. "It was like living in a frat house, they were all screaming out of their rooms while they were playing," Stone recalled. "There is no cruelty like the kind that came out of those computers. So this character I made up came through that. I said, 'I want to play a character that essentially comes right out of social media.'" It resulted in Stone delivering a ruthless and delightfully unhinged performance as Lendina, a crime boss who causes trouble for Odenkirk's character Hutch while he's vacationing with his family. Stone's recollections of "Nobody 2" were just a warm-up for the stories she told me while reminiscing about her legendary career. From breaking down her confrontational first meeting with Michael Douglas before auditioning for "Basic Instinct," to sharing her reaction to getting slapped by Gene Hackman in " The Quick and the Dead," to plotting to play the late comic legend Phyllis Diller in a biopic, Stone's decades in Hollywood have been as fruitful as they are colorful. Below, she looks back at some of her most memorable roles. On roller-skating to auditions and getting cast by Woody Allen Sharon Stone: I'm still modeling, and I still make more money today modeling than in film. It's still a huge part of my reality. But back then, I wanted to be a director. But the pesky vagina has stood in my way. Because how could you possibly have a brain and a vagina? It seems to have confounded so many. How did you land that now-memorable shot of you inside the train in Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories"? The casting agent Riccardo Bertoni cast extras in New York. He was a guy who really saw talent. He helped Sly [Stallone] get "Rocky" made. He saw me and said, "Girl, you're a star, and I'm going to get you in front of people." I didn't have any money, so I would rollerskate to all my modeling appointments. This was back in the Studio 54 period of New York City. I went over to Riccardo's and he told me that Juliet Taylor was casting extras for this Woody Allen movie. He told me to go to this bus stop. Woody was actually sitting at the bus stop. Juliet had a podium placed in front of it, and she would look at everyone's headshots. So I rollerskated over there and had my giant modeling portfolio with me and showed it to her. She turned around and passed it to Woody in the bus stop. Then she said, "Woody would like you to sit down with him." So I skated into the bus stop and sat with Woody, and he looked at my stuff and didn't say anything, and handed it back to me, and I skated away. And I later found out I got the job. On the day of shooting, the 1st AD came out and he said, "Sharon, there was a girl who was going to play a part and she's sick, Woody's going to come out and talk to you." Woody comes over and tells me, "I want you to do this job, it's today." I was self-conscious, I was 19, and they put me in this tight dress, and I was so awkward about my body. The hair person put a real gardenia in my hair. It really meant the world to me that she did that. It made me feel important. And then Gordon Willis was the DP, the man who shot "The Godfather." It was an amazing experience. On her contentious first encounter with Michael Douglas before they co-starred in 'Basic Instinct' Did Paul Verhoeven ever bring up "Basic Instinct" to you when you two made "Total Recall"? No. And what happened was I wanted the part, but nobody would give me the script. So my manager, Chuck Binder, broke into the office by picking the lock with his credit card and stole the "Basic Instinct" script for me. I read it and I said, "I'm having this part." Everyone they went out to would turn it down. But the thing was, Michael Douglas did not want to put his bare ass out on the screen with an unknown. And I understood that. He wouldn't even test with me. But that was also for a different reason; we had an argument prior to that. This was at Cannes. A bunch of us were all sitting, and he was talking about someone and their kids. I really, really knew this person he was talking about. So I said something and he responded to me, saying, "What the fuck do you know?" It was in regard to a father/child relationship. Clearly, it triggered him. So he screams this at me across a whole group of people. And I'm not the person who goes, "Oh, excuse me, superstar." I pushed back my chair and said to him, "Let's step outside." That's how we first met. Did you two step outside? Yeah. And I explained to him what the fuck I knew about this family he was speaking about, and that I was best friends with the children and the parent. And then we parted, I wouldn't say as best friends, but amicably. So, fast forward to casting "Basic Instinct," I don't think he wanted me to be his costar. [ Laughs.] (Editor's note: Michael Douglas did not reply to a request for comment.) But I would imagine that tension between you two fueled the dynamic your characters had in the movie. It worked great, because I was not rattled if he yelled at me. That was interesting for the character, because Michael has a temper, and I didn't care. That worked very well in our dynamic. Eventually, we became the greatest of friends, to this day. I admire him tremendously. The role of Catherine Tramell made you an icon, but you had a price to pay. From the way you learned what was shown in the leg-crossing scene to the custody battle you endured afterwards with your child, if you could do it all over again, would you take the role? It made me an icon, but it didn't bring me respect. But would I do it again? We don't get to make these choices in life. I don't participate in the fantasy world in this way. What I did with what happened is exactly the way I wanted to do it. Verhoeven and I have a wonderful relationship. I would work with him again in a second. We both understand, even though we have different public ways of discussing it, we understand very well what happened regarding the crotch scene. I very much believe that none of us knew at the time what we were getting in regard to that shot, and when Paul got it, he didn't want to lose it, and he was scared to show me. And I get that. Once I had time to calm down, I didn't make him take it out of the movie when I had the legal right to. So I did have the chance to do it differently and I didn't, because once I had the chance to step back, I understood, as the director, not the girl in the film, that that made the movie better. On getting slapped by Gene Hackman in 'The Quick and the Dead' and Robert De Niro getting under her skin in 'Casino' Is the legend true that while shooting "The Quick and the Dead," the scene where Gene Hackman slaps you was improvised? Yes. And it's also true that right after he did it, I grabbed him by his lapels and picked him up off his feet. The people who played our bodyguards in the scene didn't know what to do, so they all cocked their rifles. And [director] Sam [Raimi] yelled, "CUT! CUT! CUT! EVERYBODY CALM DOWN!" [ Laughs.] Did Gene give any explanation for why he slapped you? No, and I don't think there should be. I think it's good. I have worked with actors who really get cranked up in their performances and can get violent in their work. We talk before we work, or I know going in. In "Casino," was it more fun working across from Robert De Niro or Joe Pesci? It's apples and oranges. Joey really, really fought for me to be seen and get the job. So I have a serious loyalty to Joey because he's always backed me. It was always Joey and Jimmy Caan. They backed me since I was 19. I always wanted to work with Bob. I had auditioned with him many times before "Casino." It was my dream to work with De Niro and hold my own. There's a scene in the movie where we're sitting across a table arguing and he says to me, "You're a good actress, you know that?" And I remember in that scene when he said it, how furious it made me because it was my dream to do it, and then he challenged me at the table. I remember thinking, "Oh, buddy. Not today, pal." He knew every button to go for with me because he is the greatest observational actor. He can crawl under your skin and get in there. On wanting to make a Phyllis Diller biopic and learning her laugh Do you want to play Phyllis Diller one day? I do want to play Phyllis Diller very, very badly. She and I were very close friends. She cooked me dinner a lot of times. That woman could cook. I told her I wanted to play her, and she sat down and taught me her laugh. She made me practice her laugh! Phyllis made little paintings for all my kids. Are you actively trying to get a biopic off the ground? I'm trying. You know, she didn't hit it big until she was 49. She lived in a trailer park with 5 kids and her schizophrenic husband, and practiced her act on women at the laundromat. It's unbelievable. I think there are great actors who could play Bob Hope, Red Buttons, Johnny Carson. Sam Rockwell could play Johnny in his sleep. We were tight. Yes, I'm desperate to play her. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. "Nobody 2" hits theaters August 15. More from this series
Vogue
a day ago
- Vogue
Rihanna Knows There's No Such Thing as Too Many Accessories
We've all heard the quote long attributed to Coco Chanel: 'Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.' Well, Rihanna is having none of that. Yesterday, Rih was spotted in Beverly Hills wearing a classic white button-up and single-cuffed blue jeans. But the singer, mogul, and Smurfette reminded us that accessories can elevate an outfit from simple to sensational. BACKGRID USA Rihanna embraced the trendy in her third-trimester style in a pair of snakeskin printed kitten heel flip-flops from Amina Muaddi. She opted to mix prints, covering her hair in a silk Valentino V-print scarf. (She also added a pair of oversized sunglasses from the Italian label.) Rih didn't stop there, though. She went all in on the jewelry, stacking heaps of bracelets, a large signet ring, and strings of peals around her neck. Between the headscarf, oversized sunnies, and pearls, she more than embraced Old Hollywood glamour, bringing it into 2025 with her modern denim and footwear choices. Rihanna has always embraced over-the-top dressing, from the Saint Laurent maxi dress and Schiaparelli bag she wore for a Fatburger run in Los Angeles, to the outré Alaïa two-piece she donned for a dinner at Giorgio Baldi. But sometimes, there's nothing better than a classic white button-up and jeans.
a day ago
Controversy stirs over AI generated 'models' in new Guess ads appearing in Vogue
The newest issue of Vogue is sending shockwaves across social media -- not just because Anne Hathaway is on the cover amid filming for the "Devil Wears Prada" sequel, but for new Guess advertisements featuring images of AI-generated models. TikTok has erupted over the August 2025 issue of the famed fashion magazine, calling out the California clothing company's ads, as well as Vogue for featuring them. "The fact that they are using fake women in their magazines -- speechless," lifestyle creator Payton Wickizer said in a TikTok video. Another fashion-focused user, Marissa Spagnoli, addressed Guess specifically, questioning if the brand had forgotten its roots, which she pointed out included "bombshell" campaigns with the likes of Eva Mendes and Drew Barrymore. "This doesn't make me want to buy anything," Spagnoli said of the new AI model ad. Another TikToker said, "We want to look at real people in magazines -- all of these models are going to be out of work, all of these photographers are going to be out of work." ABC News reached out to Vogue and Guess for comment on the ads but did not immediately receive a response. The AI-generated models in the Guess ads were created by Seraphinne Vallora, a London-based AI marketing agency that created two different "models" for the latest Guess campaign, a blonde model dubbed Vivienne and a brunette model dubbed Anastasia. In an interview with "Good Morning America," Seraphinne Vallora's co-founders Valentina Gonzalez and Andreea Petrescu said they are not in the business of replacing the modeling industry. "We are here to co-exist together, and we will always see photography, stylists and everyone involved in a photo shoot as incredibly important," Gonzalez said. "The heart of fashion is photography. We will never challenge that." "This is meant to just supplement and to add, you know, a new avenue of marketing," Petrescu added. The agency and Guess have also faced criticism for perpetuating what some describe as unrealistic beauty standards -- a longtime critique of fashion magazines and their advertisers -- which experts say can have a negative impact on young girls and women. "The more we're exposed to these images, they become normalized to us, and we start to basically idealize these images that don't actually exist," psychologist Dr. Rachel Hawkins told "GMA," adding, "then we compare to them and we feel inadequate." Seraphinne Vallora says its work is catering to its clients' visions and and creating content that people react to. "We are not here to change what their brand is. We are here to adapt to their needs and create something beautiful for each brand," Petrescu said. "What do people respond to? Beautiful women, things that look surreal, things that are very stunning," Gonzalez added. "And when we get this backlash, we're like, well, that's what you responded to. If you had responded to other types of beauty, we would have done that."
