Nelly Confirms He, Ashanti Are Already Married? Fans Think So After He Clapped Back At Critic
Nelly's fans think he may have hinted that he and Ashanti are already married when he set the record straight on some claims about their relationship.
Nelly and Ashanti announced earlier this year that they were engaged and expecting their first child together after reconciling in 2023.
However, one social media user recently questioned the dynamic of their family and called out the "Hot in Herre" hitmaker for not marrying Ashanti, whom he previously dated on and off for a decade before they called it quits in 2013.
According to a screenshot obtained by celebrity news page The Neighborhood Talk, Nelly -- real name Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. -- immediately responded to the critic, seemingly suggesting that he already considers Ashanti his wife regardless of whether or not they've tied the knot.
Read also: Nelly Comforts Ashanti Amid Her Growing Weight, Baby Bump: 'Still The Same Size' From 2005
"But it's not the Haynes family. It's definitely the Haynes/Douglas family," the user wrote on Instagram, referring to the "Rock Wit U" singer's full name, Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas.
"I know y'all gone (sic) be mad but be mad at him for not marrying her after all this time and giving her his last name," they added.
Nelly replied to their comment: "It's definitely the Haynes family...!!! Lol."
Fans and Instagram users expressed support for the couple and speculated that Nelly may have hinted that he and Ashanti "secretly got married."
"Why do people be so pressed about other people's business? Them being married or not doesn't affect anyone but them," one supporter commented on The Neighborhood Talk's post.
"It's giving they secretly got married," another wrote, referring to Nelly's response.
Someone else had the same take, suggesting: "They [are] probably already legally married."
"He said 'ummm' he really over there laughing at people," a fourth fan quipped, adding a laughing emoji. "I love that for him."
"He [is] confirming that they are married," another speculated. "Glad he checked the haters."
In 2023, a decade after they seemingly broke up for good, Nelly and Ashanti sparked rumors that they rekindled their romance after they were spotted together in Las Vegas.
Months later, the "Just a Dream" hitmaker confirmed on "Boss Moves with Rasheeda" that they got back together.
In April, Ashanti shared the happy news of their engagement and her pregnancy during her interview with Essence.
"Motherhood is something that 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 told the magazine.
The baby will be Ashanti's first and Nelly's third biological child.
Nelly shares daughter Chanelle and son Cornell Haynes III with ex Channetta Valentine. He also adopted his late sister Jackie Donahue's children, Shawn and Sydney.
