Jury selection for A$AP Rocky's felony assault trial commenced on Tuesday in Los Angeles, bringing focus to how the presence of his partner, pop icon Rihanna, could impact potential jurors.

A$AP Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm related to an incident from November 2021, where he allegedly fired at his former friend, A$AP Relli. The trial not only carries the weight of serious charges but also the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence of up to 24 years if convicted. Notably, A$AP Rocky declined a plea deal that would have resulted in 180 days of county jail and additional probationary measures, according to Newsweek.

As the trial has gained media momentum largely due to the couple's celebrity status, experts suggest that Rihanna's presence in court could inadvertently sway jurors' perceptions. Gloria Allred, a recognized attorney closely following the proceedings, indicated that “most jurors will know who Rihanna is or could easily find out that she shares two sons with A$AP Rocky.” Despite the judge’s instructions for jurors to focus solely on the courtroom evidence, Allred pointed out the natural tendency for jurors to be affected by celebrity associations in high-profile cases.

In a curious twist during the first day of jury selection, one potential juror, a former TV executive, revealed her connection to Rihanna, noting they share a chiropractor. This revelation raised eyebrows about her impartiality and how her ties to the music industry might influence her judgment as a juror. As highlighted by Newsweek, A$AP Rocky's legal representation is keenly aware of the challenges posed by celebrity status during jury selection.

While A$AP Rocky's attorney, Joe Tacopina, asserted, “this case is not about Rihanna,” he acknowledged the district attorney's concern that jurors may be too "enamored" with Rihanna to consider the facts fairly. During court proceedings, Tacopina was candid about the latter's absence, clarifying that, legally, Rihanna is referred to as A$AP Rocky's “significant other” since the couple is not married.

Experts in jury consulting stressed the importance of discerning jurors’ familiarity with the couple during selection. Dr. Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, a seasoned jury consultant, mentioned the importance of filtering out any jurors who may have strong positive biases towards A$AP Rocky or Rihanna due to their celebrity status.

With the trial projected to unfold over three weeks, Tacopina plans to introduce evidence suggesting that the firearm depicted in surveillance footage is a prop gun rather than the instrument of crime. The intersection of stardom and judicial proceedings raises the stakes significantly, and as the trial progresses, the influence of celebrity on legal outcomes remains a pivotal question.