Typically 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 wedding ceremony date was introduced.
“This new yr of my life is such a blessing full of affection, hope, and anticipation,” Ashanti stated 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 bought her pregnant with no ring … I hope you see the phrase FIANCÉ in that assertion!!!” one person commented on Instagram.
The announcement additionally drew feedback about getting again with an ex: “This can be a block spin I can STAND FORRRRRR” one other person wrote.
The 2 first linked up in 2003 and have been a beloved couple all through the 2000s, which is probably why followers are so delighted in regards to the information. The pairing elicits emotions of nostalgia in regards to the early aughts. Each have been massive names through the period, with hits like “Trip Wit Me” and “Sizzling 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 severely — 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. Additionally they launched music collectively, together with the 2008 seductive music “Physique on Me.” Within the music video for the music, 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, after 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 performed “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 after they attended the awards ceremony 20 years in the past, in 2003.
In an interview on the pink carpet, Ashanti stated she thought sporting the bag can be “cute,” and when requested if she and Nelly are again collectively, she responded coyly, “I imply … yeah.”
Across the similar time, Nelly additionally confirmed they have been again along with the “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” actuality star Rasheeda Frost on her present “Boss Strikes with Rasheeda.”
“We cool once more,” Nelly stated. “I believe it stunned each of us, although,” he stated, including that he believes their time aside was essential for them to come back again collectively stronger.
Requested in the event that they really feel good collectively now, he stated: “Yeah, as a result of it’s no stress. Earlier than, I felt like each of us have been doing what we have been doing profession sensible. Once you bought so many individuals in the course of it, it may be powerful.”
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.
