Ashanti and Nelly are expecting their first child together
- Ashanti and Nelly are reportedly expecting their first child together.
- The two rekindled their romance earlier this year almost 10 years after their initial breakup.
- Ashanti and Nelly first dated on and off for a decade from 2003 to 2013.
Ashanti and Nelly have their first child on the way
‘Pregnancy alert’! Ashanti is reportedly pregnant, expecting her first child with her boyfriend Nelly, whose full name is Cornell Haynes Jr.
US Magazine confirmed that the couple is expanding their family after rekindling their romance last year. The outlet reported,
“Nelly and Ashanti are welcoming their first baby together,”
Ashanti is becoming a mother for the first time while it would be Nelly’s third one.
Meanwhile, the 49-year-old rapper is already a father to two children a daughter Chanelle, 29, and a son Cornell Haynes III, 24, whom he shared with ex-partner Channetta Valentine.
Also read Nelly makes things Instagram official with Ashanti with a sweet birthday post
The 43-year-old TV personality sparked pregnancy rumors in early December 2023 while attending the ‘Country Grammar’ raper’s 11th Black and White Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis.
During the event, the “Only U” singer raised speculation after she continuously cradled her stomach, sparking speculation of a baby bump. After that, Nelly also imitated her gesture.
Similarly, a fan video shared by TMZ showed the couple laughing after appearing sharing a private joke on stage.
Further, it is still unclear whether the couple is ‘expecting’ or ‘not’ as neither Nelly nor Ashanti have commented on their pregnancy news.
Ashanti and Nelly’s rollercoaster relationship journey
Ashanti and Nelly first met at an event for the 2003 Grammy Awards press conference. The Foolish singer gushed about their first meeting in VH1’s Behind the Music special.
She recalled,
“The first time I met Nelly he asked me for my autograph, but I think he was being sarcastic and I remember writing it down on the program.That picture has been in so many publications as something else, but it all started out as a joke. For the record, it took him a long time to get my number.”
The pair since spotted together at several events including Sean “Diddy” Comb’s perfume launch party, and TAO’s anniversary party.
Also read Nelly and Ashanti Reignite Dating Rumors After a Vegas Date Night!
Despite being in a romantic relationship, they prefer to keep it low-key and have convinced others that they are just friends. In a 2008 interview with PEOPLE, Ashanti seemingly teased at her relationship with Nelly.
She said at the time,
“Me and Nelly, we’re good friends. We kick it – hang out a lot, he industry is very hard, so it’s good to have fun and lighten it up.”
Ashanti was also featured in Nelly’s 2009 music video, “Body On Me” where the pair got flirty and danced with each other.
Suddenly, Ashanti seemed to finally confirm her relationship with Nelly as she addressed their break up on The Meredith Viera Show in 2015. She shared at the time,
“I think sometimes when people have their own insecurities, it allows them to act out of character, I’ve been betrayed. You just have to grow. You have to grow up. You have to accept responsibility for the things that you do. I’m not a big fan of people being cowards.
Almost a decade after their initial breakup, the two sparked reconciliation rumors in April 2023. The two were photographed together holding hands at a Las Vegas boxing match.
In September, Nelly confirmed they got back together during an interview with Love and Hip Hop stars Rasheeda and Kirk Frost. He told,
“Yeah, we cool again, I think it surprised both of us though. It wasn’t anything that I don’t think was planned.”
Ashanti, for her part, confirmed her relationship at the 2023 VMAs when she walked the red carpet.
Also read Ashanti on Watch What Happens Live show! She talks about Nelly and her current date!