After fans spent all morning trying to figure out if Ashanti and Nelly are expecting their first child together, it looks like they really are!
A close source to the couple shared the exciting update this Wednesday exclusively to Us Weekly, “Nelly and Ashanti are welcoming their first baby together,” the source said. The baby will be Ashanti’s only child. Nelly, 49, is already a father to daughter Chanelle, 29, and son Cornell Haynes III, 24, with ex Channetta Valentine.
As we previously reported, the duo sparked pregnancy rumors over the weekend while they attended Nelly’s Black and White Ball in St. Louis. During the event, the “Only U” singer put her hand on her stomach while on stage with Nelly and he did the same. Fans were left happy but confused as Nelly laughed right after and can be heard saying he “sealed the deal.”
👀👀 Are Nelly and Ashanti trying to tell us something??? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/OK6axzengz
— That Chick..Cali (@Bloop_1) December 4, 2023
RELATED: Ashanti Gives A Little History Behind Her VMAS Clutch With Boyfriend Nelly
He sure did! Fans who have been following their relationship for over a decade are celebrating them online.
“NO LIKE Y’ALL DON’T UNDERSTAND… I’VE LOVED ASHANTI FOR THE LONGEST AND I AM SO SO HAPPY FOR HER!!! SHE DESERVES IT. CONGRATULATIONS TO HER AND NELLY♥️” Another said, “Irv Gotti gotta be in his living room spiraling outta control now that Nelly got Ashanti pregnant.” A third said, “Ngl, happy for Ashanti…. Especially because it is with Nelly.
Remember, Nelly stepped up to defend her against 50 Cent. That’s how you know he loves her because going up against 50 is death.”
Ashanti and Nelly started dating in 2003. During their on-and-off 10-year relationship, they also made headlines for their various musical collaborations. However, fans were disappointed to hear they split in 2013. Now, a decade after going their separate ways, Ashanti and Nelly rekindled their romance.
The singer officially confirmed that they were back on during her appearance at the 2023 VMAs, where she carried a clutch that featured a photo of her and Nelly from decades before. While speaking to TODAY on the red carpet, the singer explained, “This is where we first exchanged numbers. I was like, ‘Oh, this would be cute.’ Everything is lining up in the universe,” she told the outlet. “So I’m happy.”
Meanwhile, Nelly also confirmed their rekindled romance in his interview with the show’s hosts, Rasheeda and Kirk Frost.
“Yeah. We cool again,” Nelly explained during the episode. “We cool again. I think it surprised both of us, though. It wasn’t anything that was, like, I don’t think planned. I think we both was pretty much doing what we do. But sometimes being separate, you understand one another more.”
Congrats!