Young Thug appeared in court recently with style, wearing an “I ❤️ Mariah” hoodie as a sweet shoutout to his girlfriend, R&B singer Mariah the Scientist. With Young Thug, legally known as Jeffery Williams, facing some legal issues in relation to the YSL RICO case, his action has driven several curls of interest among the public since it reveals one of those rare moments of time amidst vulnerability while on trial. Also, the dedication came weeks after his girlfriend was denied a virtual jail visitation on their third anniversary.
In an Instagram video, Mariah explained she’d gone to Party City on her way to the Fulton County Jail, where she’d bought a “Happy Anniversary” banner. However, upon arriving she was told their system was down.
“I done drove all the way to this motherfucking jail. The jail is like thirty minutes away from the city,”
Mariah said at the time.
“It’s not face-to-face; it’s through a screen, by the way. I drove all the way to this motherfucking jail with my little ‘Happy Anniversary’ sign and my motherfucking Scotch Tape for me to get inside of the jail and for them to say the system is down.”
Their relationship went public for the first time in 2021 after they were involved in an Atlanta Falcons game. Mariah would later say that though the connection was professional, it blossomed quickly into a romance. In November 2021, the two went Instagram officially—the surefire way to let the world know things are serious. Since then, Mariah has been a regular at Young Thug’s court hearings, supportive through her presence and her own vocal displays of solidarity.
Through his ups and downs, Mariah has proven time and time again through social media and in-court appearances that she has Young Thug’s back. She has been spotted wearing custom fashion pieces with supportive messages, which says a lot about her commitment. Mariah often speaks about their relationship via social media. Also, she speaks about her dedication in her music videos as subtle gestures of celebrating her commitment to him through space and the difficulties of his imprisonment.
It has also been a bridge for the two during this trying time. Mariah’s 2023 album, To Be Eaten Alive, is said to contain several songs about her relationship with Young Thug. The collaborations have allowed them to keep the connection alive creatively, with Mariah featuring on his tracks and vice versa, ultimately strengthening their bond and giving glimpses into their shared world from fans.
Young Thug has been behind bars since May 2022 and also attempted to connect with Mariah. In 2023 alone, he sent a love message via sky-writing, “Mariah I love U“; this action captured headlines and warmed hearts. He reportedly has also sent gifts to Mariah from behind bars, keeping in touch through the approved channels at the facility. Such a romance continues through letters and calls where possible.
Mariah has spoken of their relationship challenges due to the legal problems faced by Young Thug, which relate to a long-distance relationship. In interviews, she talked about how draining it is for her emotionally, ensuring that she emphasizes her commitment to standing by him through it all. Her toughness and loyalty have resonated with many fans, especially those who know the struggle of keeping a relationship intact under such circumstances.
The public has been quite discriminating with Young Thug’s latest show of love. As much as fans respect the two’s commitment in light of the litigation, others are less hopeful about the couple’s future. Fans have praised Mariah for her strength and loyalty, while others are more skeptical, considering the vagaries of the legal case filed against Young Thug. Nevertheless, she has given hints that she is optimistic about her career and stands with her partner.