Ashanti and Nelly announce their engagement and pregnancy in joint statement | Entertainment and Arts Updates
US music stars Ashanti and Nelly have announced their engagement and are expecting their first child together.
The talented duo, who first dated over 20 years ago, reignited their relationship last year.
They originally met at the Grammy Awards in 2003 and spent a decade together before going their separate ways.
The stars pictured in 2011, during their first relationship. Pic: AP
Ashanti posted a video on Instagram, hinting that she will need “about nine months” to get ready for her upcoming show.
Nelly also shared the post, captioned “Baby baby baby baby,” on his official Instagram account.
In the video, Ashanti’s mother, Tina Douglas, asks her how much time she will need to prepare for the show.
We see the Foolish singer, clad in a glittery outfit with fur trim, grabbing a pregnancy test and disappearing backstage, then responding: “I’m going to need about nine months.”
The 43-year-old later confirmed that she is engaged to 49-year-old rapper Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr., known for hits like Hot In Herre and Ride Wit Me.
“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” Ashanti shared with Essence magazine.
“Motherhood is something I have eagerly awaited, and to share this with my family, fiance, and devoted fans who have supported my career is an incredible experience.”
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This will be Ashanti’s first child and Nelly’s fifth.
Nelly has a daughter and son from his previous relationship with Channetta Valentine, and he adopted his late sister Jackie Donahue’s two children after her passing from leukemia in 2005.
The rapper’s family was featured in the reality TV show Nellyville in 2014 with his then-girlfriend Shantel Jackson.
