diff --git a/src/components/dms/MessageItem.tsx b/src/components/dms/MessageItem.tsx
index 0d7428b3ca..3a84239a2c 100644
--- a/src/components/dms/MessageItem.tsx
+++ b/src/components/dms/MessageItem.tsx
@@ -437,27 +437,25 @@ let MessageItem = ({
                 <Animated.View
                   accessibilityHint={l`Double tap or long press the message to add a reaction`}
                   style={[
-                    !isFromSelf && a.ml_sm,
-                    ...(isOnlyEmoji(message.text)
-                      ? []
-                      : [
-                          a.rounded_xl,
-                          a.py_sm,
-                          a.px_md,
-                          {
-                            marginTop:
-                              hasEmbedAndText || !isFirstInCluster
-                                ? CLUSTERED_MESSAGE_GAP
-                                : 0,
-                            backgroundColor: isFromSelf
-                              ? isPending
-                                ? pendingColor
-                                : t.palette.primary_500
-                              : t.palette.contrast_50,
-                          },
-                          isFromSelf ? a.self_end : a.self_start,
-                          borderRadiusStyle,
-                        ]),
+                    !isFromSelf && isGroupChat && a.ml_sm,
+                    !isOnlyEmoji(message.text) && [
+                      a.rounded_xl,
+                      a.py_sm,
+                      a.px_md,
+                      {
+                        marginTop:
+                          hasEmbedAndText || !isFirstInCluster
+                            ? CLUSTERED_MESSAGE_GAP
+                            : 0,
+                        backgroundColor: isFromSelf
+                          ? isPending
+                            ? pendingColor
+                            : t.palette.primary_500
+                          : t.palette.contrast_50,
+                      },
+                      isFromSelf ? a.self_end : a.self_start,
+                      borderRadiusStyle,
+                    ],
                   ]}>
                   <RichText
                     value={rt}