Nelly's Luxurious Jewelry Gift to Ashanti in New Video Sparks Fans' Debates on Engagement

• Nelly and Ashanti met over twenty years ago.
• Since then, they reportedly dated for nearly a decade.
• The pair rekindled their romance this year.

Ashanti recently celebrated her birthday, and her beau Nelly gave her some gifts. The moment was captured on camera, and fans debated whether the two would be getting engaged anytime soon.

Hollywood stars Nelly and Ashanti first met in 2003 at the Grammy Awards press conference. She once recalled their first meeting and revealed what the "Dilemma" hitmaker asked of her.

"The first time I met Nelly, he asked me for my autograph, but I think he was being sarcastic," Ashanti explained once. The songwriter also added how things progressed:

"[...] For the record, it took him a long time to get my number."

The pair sparked relationship rumors for several years after that, as Ashanti teased that they were spending more time together in 2005. However, she and Nelly insisted they were merely friends over the years. Still, she seemingly confirmed their breakup in 2015.

The "Foolish" singer openly talked about whether they were cordial with each other after their rumored romance during a December 2019 interview. She said they had not seen each other since their split.

The duo reunited for the first time in September 2021 during Ja Rule and Fat Joe's "Verzuz" battle. In September 2023, Nelly appeared on Philo TV's "Boss Moves with Rasheeda" and was asked about their reconciliation, and he blushed.

As for Ashanti, she confirmed their relationship while walking the red carpet. She stunned in a sheer glittering gown and carried a clutch purse that featured a photo of her and the St. Louis native from decades before. The actress revealed:

"This is where we first exchanged numbers. I was like, 'Oh, this would be cute.’ Everything is lining up in the universe. So, I'm happy."

The lovebirds recently spent time together. On October 14, 2023, the New York native posted a clip of her and Nelly having a good time singing along with some friends on a party bus. She captioned her post by sharing a string of laughing emojis.

In the post, she was wearing one of her gifts. Ashanti recently turned 43, and her love paid a birthday tribute to her on Instagram. He posted a montage featuring throwback pictures and clips of the couple.

"Enjoy your day Ma, you look awesome!!!! Happy Birthday, Love ya!!!!" the "Just a Dream" singer captioned his post. Ashanti replied in the comments, writing, "Awwwwww. Thank you, Big head!!!!!!!! Love ya!!!!"

Fans Spark Engagement Debate

Ashanti celebrated her birthday on October 13, 2023, and Nelly surprised her with a necklace and a wristwatch. The rapper was taped showing the singer the jewelry piece, and they embraced each other. Social media users commented on the post shared by The Shade Room. Some suggested that Nelly should pop the big question already.

"Put a ring on it. Boring," wrote an online user. One asked, "WHERE IS HER RINGGGGG for goodness sakes! These men will necklace and bracelet you to death." Someone else exclaimed, "The ring, Nelly! We want to see the ring." While one said, "So cute, but he forgot the twenty-carat engagement ring."

Meanwhile, other fans called out those suggesting Nelly should propose to Ashanti, with one person writing, "They just got back together. Give these folks time."

"I have a question for all of those screaming, now commit or put a ring on it. How do you know she wants that, or is it you projecting your fantasy on her?" asked one fan.

One person said people are talking about Nelly proposing to Ashanti when they just rekindled their romance after being broken up for several years. "They are completely different people now, so you have to make sure it's going to work the second time around!"

Nelly spoke candidly about the idea of marriage in June 2017. He admitted that he takes marriage "very seriously," adding if he gets married, he would only do it once.

Nelly explained it is more important for him to die a married man than get married only to divorce. The father of two reiterated his statement during an interview in September 2023.