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  • Writer's pictureVictor Nwoko

Ashanti and Nelly engaged, expecting first child together: ‘Such a blessing’



Ashanti is going to be welcoming a baby, baby, baby, baby, baby into this world!


The singer of "Foolish," aged 43, revealed to Essence that she and Nelly are not only engaged but also expecting their first child together.


“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” she told the outlet.

“Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”



She also confirmed her pregnancy on Instagram Wednesday with a clip where her mom, Tina Douglas, asked her if she was ready to go on stage for her performance.


“Imma need about nine months,” she said as she showed her mom a positive Proov pregnancy test.

The video ended with the words, “To be continued.”


“Baby baby baby baby…. ❤️🙏🏽😆,” Ashanti captioned the post, in which she also tagged the “Dilemma” rapper.


Stars and fans filled the expecting mom’s Instagram comments with sweet messages following her big announcement.



“Yessssssssssss congratulations to my girl you’re the one!!!!!❤️😘😘” commented rapper Kash Doll, who is pregnant with her second child.


“Period ❤️🔥,” added Tamar Braxton.


“Congrats beautiful!! ❤️❤️❤️,” wrote former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Claudia Jordan.


“So happy for you and Nelly! Congratulations, y’all!” wrote one user.




“Awwww congratulations Shaaaaannnn!! Praying for a healthy pregnancy and baby! (AND A GIRL 🤣) 🥹🥹💕🌻💕,” added another.


Last December, rumors began surfacing that Ashanti and Nelly — born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. — were expecting their first child together.


According to a viral clip shared on X, while the couple partied at Nelly’s Black and White Ball in St. Louis, they couldn’t keep their hands off Ashanti’s belly.



The “Rock Wit U” singer has also seemingly been trying to hide her baby bump by wearing oversized jersey dresses during her recent performances.


The “Air Force Ones” emcee, aged 49, and Ashanti first met in 2003 at a Grammys Awards press conference. After dating for a decade, they called it quits in 2013, with the singer saying he “betrayed” her.



However, in April 2023, the musicians sparked reconciliation rumors while sitting ringside at a boxing match in Las Vegas.


After dating secretly for a few months, Nelly revealed they were officially back together.


“Yeah, we cool again,” he said in a September 2023 interview with “Love & Hip Hop” stars Rasheeda and Kirk Frost, per the Shade Room.



“I think it surprised both of us though. It wasn’t anything that I don’t think was planned.”


The “Over and Over” rapper is already a dad to daughter Chanelle, aged 30, and son Cornell Haynes III, aged 25, with ex Channetta Valentine.


Nelly also adopted his late sister Jackie Donahue’s two children after she died of leukemia in 2005.

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