Nelly, Ashanti Engaged; Expecting First Baby Together
Nelly and Ashanti are taking their longtime on-off romance to the next level with their engagement and pregnancy.
In an exclusive interview with Essence magazine, the "Unfoolish" singer shared that she is engaged to her longtime partner, Nelly, and is looking forward to motherhood.
"This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope and anticipation. Motherhood is something I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience," she said.
The 43-year-old singer also posted a reel in collaboration with Essence, her fiancé and Proov and captioned it: "Baby baby baby baby."
In the reel, she is being prepped backstage when a woman asks her, "How much time do you need?"
She responds, "Imma need about nine months," while holding a pregnancy test.
Her creative announcement has since garnered over 3.5 million views, with celebrities and netizens leaving congratulatory messages in the comments section.
"Yes, congratulations to my girl. You're the one," rapper Kash Doll commented.
"Congratulations on this beautiful blessing! So happy for [you] guys," said actress La La Anthony.
"You all, she confirmed being a fiancée also," wrote one netizen.
"This feeds my inner child so f***in' much, and I love it 'cause you have always been that girl, and happiness looks so good on you," said a different commenter.
"Congratulations! Praying for a great delivery with zero complications," a different netizen commented.
The couple's upcoming bundle of joy will be Ashanti's first child and Nelly's fifth. The "Ride Wit Me" artist shares two kids -- Chanelle and Cornell Jr. -- with his ex, Channetta Valentine.
He also adopted his sister Jackie Donahue's two children -- Shawn and Sydney Thomas -- after she died of leukemia in 2005.
Nelly and Ashanti were first linked romantically in early 2003 after meeting at a Grammys event. In 2008, the former featured the singer-actress in his song "Body on Me."
While the two kept the score between them a secret for years, in 2015, Ashanti confirmed that they dated until 2013, per Us Weekly.
From 2013 to 2022, they went on with their lives apart. They rekindled their romance in 2023 but did not want to "rush" their relationship.
In September 2023, the "Dilemma" rapper confirmed on Philo TV's "Boss Moves with Rasheeda" that he and Ashanti were back together.
"Yeah, we're cool again. I think it surprised both of us, though. It wasn't anything that I don't think was planned," he said at the time.
