Right now, Rihannais with rapper A$AP Rocky,born Rakim Athelaston Mayers. The two were close friends for years before going public as a couple in 2021.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky
In a 2021 GQ interview, A$AP Rocky called Rihanna “the love of my life.” Since then, they have built a life together. They have two sons. RZA was born in May 2022, and Riot Rose was born in August 2023.
Their Current Relationship Status
As of 2025, the couple is still going strong. They are raising their family in Los Angeles. This is the most serious relationship in Rihanna’s dating history. It is one where she has truly settled down.
Also read: The Rise of Rihanna Before the World Knew Her
Rihanna Dating History Timeline at a Glance
Over the years, Rihanna has been linked to some very well-known names. Here is a quick look at her full dating history in one place.
| Name | Timeline | Status | Short Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negus Sealy | Early 2000s | Confirmed | Childhood sweetheart from Barbados |
| Shia LaBeouf | 2007 | Rumored | Brief link, never confirmed publicly |
| Chris Brown | 2007 to 2009 | Confirmed | High-profile relationship, ended badly |
| Matt Kemp | 2010 | Confirmed | Dated MLB star briefly after Chris Brown |
| Drake | 2009 to 2016 | Confirmed | On and off over several years |
| Leonardo DiCaprio | 2015 | Rumored | Spotted together, never confirmed |
| Travis Scott | 2015 | Rumored | Short-lived rumor, no confirmation |
| Karim Benzema | 2015 | Rumored | Linked briefly, nothing confirmed |
| Hassan Jameel | 2017 to 2020 | Confirmed | Long, private relationship |
| A$AP Rocky | 2020 to Present | Confirmed | Current partner, father of her two sons |
Full Rihanna Relationship Timeline
Rihanna’s love life has always kept people talking. Here is a closer look at every known relationship, from her teenage years in Barbados to her life today.
1. Negus Sealy / Early 2000s
Negus Sealy was Rihanna’s boyfriend during her early years in Barbados. This relationship is often mentioned as her first known romantic connection before fame came calling.
The two grew up in the same environment and shared a close bond. It remains a sweet and simple chapter before everything changed for Rihanna.
2. Shia LaBeouf / 2007
Rihanna and Shia LaBeouf were briefly linked in 2007. It was short-lived and never formally confirmed. Most sources treat it as a rumor with little substance.
Their names appeared together in a few reports, but neither side ever spoke publicly about it.
3. Chris Brown / 2007 to 2009
This was one of Rihanna’s most public relationships. It ended after a highly publicized incident in 2009. The event drew global media attention and is still widely discussed today.
It was a painful period that left a lasting mark on both their careers and public images.
4. Matt Kemp / 2010
After the Chris Brown period, Rihanna dated MLB player Matt Kemp. The relationship was fairly private. They appeared publicly together a few times before quietly splitting in 2010.
Many saw this as Rihanna taking a step back and focusing on healing and moving forward.
5. Drake / 2009 to 2016
Rihanna and Drake shared an on-and-off connection for several years. They collaborated on music and exchanged public compliments.
This chapter in Rihanna’s dating history remains one of the most talked-about. Drake himself spoke openly about his feelings for her on multiple occasions over the years.
6. Leonardo DiCaprio / 2015
The two were spotted at the same parties in 2015. Rumours spread fast, but nothing was ever confirmed. Most reports placed them in the same circles rather than in a relationship.
Fans speculated heavily, but the story never got any real backing from either side.
7. Travis Scott / 2015
Rihanna and Travis Scott were briefly linked in 2015. They were spotted together at a few events. No formal confirmation came, and the speculation faded quickly.
It was one of several short-lived rumors that surfaced during that particularly busy period of her personal life.
8. Karim Benzema / 2015
French football star Karim Benzema was connected to Rihanna around the same period. The rumour gained some media coverage but never moved beyond speculation territory.
No public statement came from either party, and the story disappeared almost as fast as it began.
9. Hassan Jameel / 2017 to 2020
This was one of Rihanna’s most serious and private relationships. Hassan Jameel is a Saudi businessman. The couple kept things very low-key for nearly three years before splitting in early 2020.
Rihanna rarely spoke about him publicly, which made this relationship stand out from her earlier, more visible ones.
10. A$AP Rocky / 2020 to Present
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna were friends long before dating. They went public in 2021. Today, they share two sons and are widely seen as one of the most grounded couples in the music world.
Their story shows how a strong friendship can turn into something real, lasting, and full of life.
How Rihanna’s Love Life Changed Over Time?
Rihanna’s approach to relationships shifted significantly over the years. Here is how each phase of her personal life looked different from the last.
Early Public Relationships
In her early career, Rihanna’s relationships played out very publicly. Names like Chris Brown made headlines constantly. Media coverage was intense and often hard to control.
Mid-Career Rumored Links and Media Speculation
As Rihanna’s fame grew, so did the rumors. Short-lived links to Leonardo DiCaprio, Travis Scott, and Karim Benzema kept tabloids busy. Most lacked strong proof but stayed in the news for weeks.
More Private and Serious Relationships in Later Years
By 2017, Rihanna clearly preferred keeping her personal life quiet. Her relationship with Hassan Jameel stayed out of the spotlight for nearly three years.
Her bond with A$AP Rocky followed the same pattern before going public.
Rihanna’s Rumored Hookups and Short-Term Links
Not every name in Rihanna’s dating history came with a confirmed relationship. Some were simply rumors that caught fire fast. Here is a closer look at those short-term links.
Briefly Linked Celebrities
Several well-known names were connected to Rihanna without any solid confirmation. Shia LaBeouf was briefly linked to her in 2007, though it never moved past gossip.
Travis Scott and Karim Benzema were also tied to her around the same time. Both faded quickly with no confirmation from either side.
Why These Are Considered Hookups or Rumors
None of these links came with an official statement. Reports leaned heavily on event sightings and unnamed sources. Without solid proof, they stayed exactly where they started in speculation territory.
How Celebrity Hookup Rumors Spread
It usually starts with one photo. A paparazzi shot outside a restaurant or a glimpse at the same party is all the media needs.
Music collaborations and shared social circles often keep celebrities in the same spaces, making these stories easy to write.
A sighting becomes a headline, and a headline becomes a week-long story.
Summing Up
Rihanna’s love life has gone through many phases. From her early years in Barbados to raising a family with A$AP Rocky in Los Angeles, her personal life has always reflected growth.
Some relationships were very public. Others were kept quietly away from the spotlight. Each one shaped the person she is today.
What stands out most is how far she has come. She went from tabloid headlines to building a grounded, stable family on her own terms.
Which relationship from Rihanna’s dating history surprised you the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this post, share it with a fellow Rihanna fan!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Did Rihanna and Travis Scott Split?
Rihanna and Travis Scott never officially confirmed a split because they never publicly confirmed they were dating. Their 2015 connection was largely considered a brief, unverified romantic rumor.
Did Drake Want to Date Rihanna?
Drake publicly expressed his love for Rihanna at the 2016 VMAs, and they shared an on-and-off relationship for years, suggesting he definitely had a strong interest in dating her.
Did Rihanna Date Rob Kardashian?
Rihanna and Rob Kardashian were briefly linked in 2012 after being seen together. However, Rob later clarified they were just friends, and Rihanna reportedly found the dating rumors humorous.
Did Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna Ever Date?
Despite their musical collaboration on the hit song “Loyalty,” there is no evidence that Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna ever dated. Their relationship has always remained strictly professional and creative.
Did Drake Want to Marry Rihanna?
While Drake famously confessed his love for Rihanna at the 2016 VMAs, he never publicly stated he wanted to marry her, despite their long-term, on-and-off romantic connection.