Rihanna Criticized and Defended for Holding Son Upside Down at Birthday Party
Rihanna, 36, and rapper ASAP Rocky, 35, celebrated their son RZA's second birthday on Monday, May 13, 2024, in New York City. During the festive event, a video captured Rihanna holding her son, RZA, upside down by his legs, which quickly went viral and sparked debate among parents.
The video, originally shared by makeup artist @itsjazzy.b on Instagram, shows Rihanna lifting RZA upside down to distract him as he appeared antsy, while ASAP Rocky held their nine-month-old son Riot. The clip has garnered 8.5 million views on X (formerly Twitter), leading to widespread discussions about Rihanna's parenting methods.
Many parents defended Rihanna, stating that such actions are common among parents to calm restless toddlers. Users on X and other social platforms expressed strong support, noting that Rihanna was merely keeping her son entertained and happy.
ASAP Rocky also shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to RZA on Instagram, posting family photos and celebrating the milestone with the caption, “HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY TO MY FIRST BORN BABY BOY RZA.” The couple welcomed their second son, Riot, in August 2023.