Ultra Y2K couple Ashanti and Nelly are reportedly expecting their first child together after their recent comeback. A source has told Us Weekly that Ashanti is pregnant with Nelly’s baby. Both Nelly and Ashanti’s representatives have not provided confirmation or denial regarding the recent news, as reported by the New York Post.
The former couple, who had an on-and-off relationship from 2003 to 2014, sparked pregnancy rumors during Nelly’s Black and White Ball in St. Louis. Ashanti and Nelly engaged in a gesture during an event where Ashanti placed her hand on her stomach, leading Nelly to follow suit by touching her tummy.
A man with a microphone urged the crowd to chant “seal the deal,” eliciting laughter from the singer.
This would be Ashanti’s first child, while Nelly, with two previous children (Chanelle, 29, and Cornell Haynes III, 24, from his ex Channetta Valentine), is anticipating this as his third.
The “Body On Me” collaborators were recently seen holding hands at a boxing match between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas after the couple reunited in April. Nelly expressed surprise at the reconciliation, stating to “Love and Hip Hop” stars Rasheeda and Kirk Frost that it wasn’t a planned development.
Reflecting on their reconciliation, Nelly noted that being apart allowed them to better understand each other, despite both continuing with their respective pursuits.
“You be like, ‘Yo, let me see exactly what they see.’ You know, because we all can be defensive sometimes in our own relationships. We know we are wrong but we going to stand on it. But we are all a victim of that.”
Ashanti in an interview with The Post’s Chuck Arnold explained why their high-profile relationship didn’t last during their initial stint. “There were good times, and there were times where it was hard . . . just traveling so much and living in two different states,” she said. “Our careers were, like, taking off back then. It was really hard to try and just do everything.”
The “Foolish” singer said at some point she felt comfortable with the idea of not getting married, stating that there have been close situations. She said she has always been inspired by her parents’ enduring 40-plus-year marriage.
Nelly and Ashanti may soon have the opportunity to read to their upcoming child Ashanti’s children’s book, “My Name Is a Story,” released in July of last year.
“It’s encouraging kids to be happy and feel OK about being different or having a different name,” she said of the plot. “You know, my name is different; it’s not common. But I want kids that have a different name to understand that that’s power in itself. Love your name. Love the fact that you’re different and you stand out.”
