A$AP Rocky and Rihanna turned heads at the 2025 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Awards on November 3, not just for their impeccable style, but for a simple, heartfelt gesture that captured the essence of their decade-long romance. As the couple posed arm-in-arm on the red carpet at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, Rocky leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on Rihanna’s cheek—a moment that photographers seized and fans across social media have since celebrated as a snapshot of their unwavering bond. For the Barbadian singer and the Harlem rapper, both 37, this affectionate display marked Rihanna’s first major public outing since welcoming their third child, daughter Rocki Irish, in September, underscoring how seamlessly they’ve blended family milestones with their high-profile lives.

The CFDA Awards, fashion’s prestigious nod to American designers, provided the perfect backdrop for the pair’s return to the spotlight. Rihanna, fresh from maternity leave, opted for a sleek midnight-blue trench coat that draped elegantly over her frame, paired with statement earrings and her signature bold makeup. Rocky complemented her in a tailored black suit, accented by a gold-and-opal leaf brooch and a luxury wristwatch—details that highlighted their shared passion for innovative style. As they held hands and shared laughs for the cameras, Rocky’s kiss served as a quiet affirmation of their partnership, one that’s evolved from rumored flirtations to a family of five.

This wasn’t a one-off; it’s a recurring theme in the couple’s public narrative. From their early collaborations to recent family outings, Rocky has consistently shown his appreciation through these understated displays of warmth. Their relationship timeline reads like a modern fairy tale, beginning in 2012 during an MTV Video Music Awards performance where Rocky joined Rihanna onstage for her track “Cockiness (Love It).” The chemistry was immediate, though they maintained a professional friendship for years, collaborating on projects like Rocky’s 2013 music video for “Fashion Killa,” where Rihanna starred as his muse. Off-screen kisses and hand-holding spotted during video shoots fueled early speculation, but it wasn’t until 2020 that Rocky confirmed their romance in a GQ interview, calling Rihanna “the love of my life.”

By 2021, they made their red-carpet debut as a couple at the Met Gala, where Rocky again sealed the moment with a cheek kiss amid flashes from photographers. That same year, they welcomed their first son, RZA Athelston, followed by son Riot Rose in 2022 and now Rocki, rounding out their growing family. Fans have long admired how the pair balances global stardom with private joys—Rocky once told Complex magazine that fatherhood to Rocki was his “favorite thing I created this year.” Their date nights, like a 2021 arcade outing that stretched until 3 a.m. or a 2022 late-night stroll in New York, often end with similar tender gestures, as captured in paparazzi shots and fan videos.

The CFDA moment, however, carried extra weight. Rihanna, whose Fenty brand continues to redefine inclusivity in beauty and fashion, has been selective with appearances post-pregnancy. Her return alongside Rocky—a longtime supporter of her ventures, including Fenty’s unisex lip balm launch—not only celebrated their personal milestone but also reinforced their joint influence in the industry. As Rihanna captioned a throwback Instagram post from the event, thanking Rocky for “always being so supportive of @Fenty,” it echoed the mutual respect that’s defined their dynamic.

Social media lit up immediately after the photos dropped. On X (formerly Twitter), fans shared clips from the 2022 premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, where a similar cheek kiss drew “lil kiss on the cheek 😚🥰” reactions, and revisited the 2021 Met Gala video that’s racked up millions of views. Hashtags like #RihannaRocky and #PowerCoupleGoals trended, with users gushing over the “disarmingly cute united front” described by Daily Mail. One post from 2021 humorously noted, “I would battle rap ASAP Rocky just for a kiss on the cheek from Rihanna,” capturing the playful envy their chemistry inspires. Even older tweets from 2012, like one lamenting jealousy over Rocky’s waist-grab and cheek kiss during their VMA performance, show how these moments have built a loyal following over the years.

Beyond the romance, the couple’s story resonates for its authenticity. Rihanna has spoken openly about the joys and adjustments of parenthood, sharing in interviews how Rocky stepped up during her pregnancies—cradling her bump in sweet photos from 2023 outings in France. Rocky, in turn, credits Rihanna with grounding him, telling Billboard that their front-row seats at fashion weeks like Louis Vuitton’s 2018 show were about shared passions, not just appearances. Their Clara Lionel Foundation work, including annual Diamond Balls, further cements their role as a couple committed to impact, with Rocky shining “like a diamond” at the 2019 event.

As they navigate this new chapter with three kids, moments like the CFDA kiss remind fans why A$AP Rocky and Rihanna remain one of entertainment’s most admired pairs. In an industry often marked by fleeting headlines, their steady affection—sealed with a simple peck—offers a refreshing constant. With Rihanna teasing new music and Rocky eyeing album drops, expect more red-carpet sweetness ahead. For now, that cheek kiss stands as a testament: love, like their style, ages flawlessly.