A close friend of rising Los Angeles vocalist Maria “Dela” De La Rosa, 22, says that night she was shot, a 21‑year‑old who joined her beforehand ended up playing a lucky hand. That companion, who’s known as “Thanos” on Ray J’s dating show Love Cabin, tells her “brother from another mother” to stay away before an alleged robbery spiraled out of control in Northridge on Nov. 22.
Ethan Clemons and Maria were together just before she hopped into an Escalade with two other friends to head toward a “low‑income” area near the projects, hoping to meet someone. “I was with her that night, before everything happened,” Clemons said to The New York Post. “I was supposed to go with her, but she told me to stay home.” He added, “She protected my life that night—without even knowing it.”
When Maria pulled over to her house, she told him, “I don’t want you going there, I don’t want you caught up in anything.” The singer warned that the destination was riskier, being a lower‑income sector near “the projects.” “If you’re not from a project you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb,” Clemons explained.
What was planned as a short detour to meet a friend turned into a 15‑minute stop near Bryant Street east of Tampa Avenue. At around 1:25 a.m., two men approached the cars, a driver inside an Escalade and a woman in the back seat. According to Clemons, the attackers attempted a robbery but were thwarted. They fired five shots into the vehicle, aiming at the driver; one bullet struck Maria in the torso, passing through and damaging vital organs.
“I really don’t think anyone was supposed to get hit with bullets,” he said. “She was just going to meet her friend, and maybe some of the wrong people heard of her coming.” Clemons told The Post that Maria was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and even if you have friends in certain neighborhoods, you don’t always need to meet them there.
The other passengers were unharmed, he added. “It’s very unfortunate, but I believe everything happens for a reason. Not saying she should have died, but she is an angel now, and many will learn from this. We can’t take life for granted.”
Both Eli and Maria respected each other’s craft. In a recent Instagram post, Maria praised him: “From us being little kids, to young adults! Wanted to take the time to congratulate my brother from another mother for his success on Love Cabin! Many more blessings to come, so proud of you.”
While some comments suggested gang involvement after the shooting, Clemons refuted those claims. “She was definitely not MS‑13; she never used gang signs.” He added that although she was half Mexican, she primarily identified with her Colombian side of the family and that she was courteous and well‑spoken.
Maria’s life was dedicated to music; she spent most of her time either in the studio or writing at home. She had recently released “No Me Llames” (“Don’t Call Me”) in August, with a major new project in the works. “It’s just sad that she can’t,” Clemons lamented.
Her memorial will be held next Tuesday at 12 p.m. at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, open to the public.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
