Ashanti and Nelly Announce Their Engagement and a New Child

Generally the love of your life is an ex. That appears to be the case for Ashanti and Nelly.
On Wednesday, Ashanti, 43, introduced her being pregnant in an Instagram video with Essence journal.
Some on-line customers expressed their disapproval of the R&B star having a child with Nelly, 49, with no ring on her finger (although actually not unusual amongst celebrities).
A number of hours later, Essence broke the information that Ashanti, a Grammy-winning vocalist who has launched six studio albums and bought tens of millions of information, is engaged to the multiplatinum St. Louis rapper in a double shock that led their followers to rejoice. No marriage ceremony date was introduced.
“This new 12 months of my life is such a blessing full of affection, hope, and anticipation,” Ashanti mentioned in a press release to Essence. “Motherhood is one thing that I’ve seemed ahead to, and sharing this with my household, fiancé, and constant followers, who’ve been so supportive of my profession, is an incredible expertise.”
“For all these individuals who have been saying he received her pregnant with no ring … I hope you see the phrase FIANCÉ in that assertion!!!,” one consumer commented on Instagram.
The announcement additionally drew feedback about getting again with an ex: “It is a block spin I can STAND FORRRRRR” one other consumer wrote.
The 2 first linked up in 2003 and have been a beloved couple all through the 2000s, which is maybe why followers are so delighted concerning the information. The pairing elicits emotions of nostalgia concerning the early aughts. Each have been huge names through the period, with hits like “Trip Wit Me” and “Scorching in Herre” from Nelly and Ashanti’s chart toppers “Silly” and “Joyful.”
They first met at a information convention for the 2003 Grammy Awards nomination announcement. Nelly playfully requested for her autograph, which she took critically — a second that was captured in a photograph that made headlines.
Within the decade that adopted, they attended high-profile occasions collectively, although they have been notoriously non-public about their relationship standing. In addition they launched music collectively, together with the 2008 seductive tune “Physique on Me.” Within the music video for the tune, they lock eyes as she croons lyrics like “I do know you need it” and he raps to her “I wanna make you somebody greater than only a bone in my closet / I wanna win that sort of relationship.”
After a couple of decade collectively, in an interview in 2015 with Meredith Vieira, Ashanti confirmed that the 2 had damaged up.
They weren’t seen collectively once more till September 2021, once they reunited at a Verzuz battle between Fats Joe and Ja Rule in New York. Nelly and Ashanti have been each onstage through the musical battle, invited by the rappers to carry out their songs with them, and Nelly gave her a hug. She later revealed it was the primary time she had seen him in years.
In December 2022, they carried out “Physique on Me” throughout a live performance in Arizona, dancing with one another onstage, as flirty as ever. Rumors a couple of rekindled romance have been sparked, but it surely wasn’t till September 2023 that the couple confirmed their relationship.
That month, Ashanti attended the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, the place Nelly was performing, carrying a handbag embossed with a photograph of the 2 of them once they attended the awards ceremony 20 years in the past, in 2003.
In an interview on the crimson carpet, Ashanti mentioned she thought carrying the bag could be “cute,” and when requested if she and Nelly are again collectively, she responded coyly, “I imply … yeah.”
Across the identical time, Nelly additionally confirmed they have been again along with the “Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta” actuality star Rasheeda Frost on her present “Boss Strikes with Rasheeda.”
“We cool once more,” Nelly mentioned. “I believe it shocked each of us, although,” he mentioned, including that he believes their time aside was necessary for them to return again collectively stronger.
Requested in the event that they really feel good collectively now, he mentioned: “Yeah, as a result of it’s no strain. Earlier than, I felt like each of us have been doing what we have been doing profession sensible. While you received so many individuals in the course of it, it may be robust.”
Now extra low-key than they have been within the 2000s, the duo appears to be prepared for a brand new chapter of their lengthy journey collectively — sans middlemen.