Ashanti and Nelly are engaged and expecting their first child together

Ashanti and Nelly have introduced they’re engaged and anticipating their first child collectively. The musical artists first dated in 2003 and delighted followers after they rekindled their relationship in 2023.

Essence journal introduced the pair’s large information on Wednesday, writing on social media: “Congratulations to Ashanti and Nelly, who’re ENGAGED and EXPECTING their first little one collectively!”

In a press release to the journal, Ashanti, 43, stated this yr is “such a blessing full of affection, hope, and anticipation.”

“Motherhood is one thing that I’ve seemed ahead to, and sharing this with my household, fiancé, and dependable followers, who’ve been so supportive of my profession, is an incredible expertise,” the Grammy winner stated.

The artists additionally shared the information in a video that includes Proov, an organization that gives at-home fertility checks, which Ashanti and Nelly co-own, in response to Essence.

Nelly and Ashanti relationship timeline

The couple first met in 2003 and saved their relationship largely beneath wraps, with Ashanti first publicly mentioning her relationship with the rapper at a Los Angeles Lakers sport in 2008, Leisure Tonight studies.

After a number of rumored breakups, Nelly, 49, instructed Complicated in 2010 that the couple by no means publicly admitted to being collectively or damaged up. “Solely factor we ever stated was we buddies and it is the identical means now,” the three-time Grammy winner stated.

Amid breakup rumors in 2013, Ashanti stated their relationship was like “ping-pong,” and confirmed in 2015 that that they had ended their relationship two years prior.

In 2022, the pair reunited to carry out their music “Physique on Me” collectively at a live performance in Arizona and Ashanti stated on Bravo’s “Watch What Occurs Stay” that she was shocked by how many individuals had been invested of their relationsip. 

Nelly and Ashanti engaged

In 2023, followers who adopted the connection carefully lastly received the affirmation they had been searching for. The pair had been seen collectively at a number of public occasions and a supply confirmed to Leisure Tonight that they had been “again collectively and really completely happy.”

Nelly has two youngsters from a earlier relationship and two youngsters he adopted after their mom, his stepsister, died of leukemia. That is Ashanti’s first little one.