Music stars Ashanti and Nelly are about to hit a new, high note in their relationship. Not only are they planning to tie the knot, but they’re also set to welcome their first child together.
In an Instagram video that has since gone viral, Ashanti, 43, subtly announced her pregnancy while preparing for a performance. When her mother asked her how much time she needed, Ashanti perplexed her by saying, “Uh, I’m gonna need about nine months.”
In an exclusive interview with Essence, Ashanti further revealed that she and Nelly, 49, are engaged. “This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” Ashanti said. “Motherhood is something that I have been looking forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”
The couple sparked pregnancy rumors at the 11th Black and White Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel in December when Ashanti was seen resting her hand on her stomach. This act led to speculations among fans, who took it as a hint of them expecting a baby.
In September, Nelly confirmed that they were back together during an appearance on the Boss Moves with Rasheeda show. According to him, the reconciliation “surprised both of us.”
Nelly explained that their time apart helped them understand each other better. “But sometimes, being separate, you understand one another more. You could be like, ‘Well yo, let me exactly see maybe what they see.’ We all can be defensive sometimes in our own relationships. We know we wrong but we going to stand on it, you know what I mean? But we all a victim to that.”
At the event, Ashanti expressed that she and Nelly were “in a great space,” adding, “Everything is positive. [We’re] having a lot of fun.”
Nelly is already a father to son Cornell III (who goes by Tre), 21, and daughter, Chanelle (who goes by Nana), 26. He also helped raise his niece Sydney and nephew Shawn after his sister, Jackie Donahue, died of leukemia at the age of 31 in March 2005.
Recently, the couple playfully flirted in the comments of an Instagram post, with fans celebrating their reunion. As their comments turned more playful, one fan told Nelly to “get her pregnant tonight,” to which Nelly replied with a saluting emoji, saying, “I’m on it.”
