Ashanti Is Engaged & Expecting First Child at 43 – Glimpse of Her Baby Bump in 4 Photos

R&B singer Ashanti delights fans with two big announcements: she's engaged and expecting her first child. Amid the excitement, her renewed romance with acclaimed rapper Nelly stands out, adding a nostalgic touch to the joyful news.

Ashanti recently revealed that she is expecting her first child. She revealed this through an Instagram video that captured a picturesque view of city buildings at night before transitioning to her concert at Barclays Center, where she shared the unexpected news.

In the video, an assistant asked Ashanti if she was ready to emerge from her dressing room. Walking towards the assistant, the singer playfully responded, "I need about nine months," hinting that she was pregnant.

Ashanti's pregnancy announcement coincided with her engagement to rapper Nelly, rekindling a romance from the early 2000s. "This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” Ashanti said in a recent interview with Essence.

She expressed excitement about becoming a mother, saying, "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."

This marks the first child for Ashanti, while Nelly will be welcoming his fifth. Nelly has two biological children, Chanelle and Cornell Haynes Jr. Additionally, he adopted two children, Shawn and Sydney Thomas, following the death of his sister, Jackie Donahue, in 2005.

Following the news of Ashanti's pregnancy and engagement, netizens reacted differently. While some fans were surprised by the announcement, others had noticed signs of her pregnancy long before its official confirmation.

One fan pointed out, "How is it a reveal when I've been seeing it all over that she was pregnant and there was a show that she did her belly was clearly popping." Another added, "I didn't even know they were a thing," while a third commented, "I thought we had known this for months now?"

Another humorously chimed in, saying, "They grandparents at this point." In contrast, other fans shared their joy and enthusiasm for Ashanti's upcoming journey into motherhood and marriage.

A supporter said, "Babyyyy we already knew... I loveeee it I'm so ready." Another fan expressed, "Congratulations I'm so happy for you both can not wait to see the baby." A netizen gushed "So happy for them," while someone else echoed the same sentiment, "Yass!!! I'm so happy for them!!!!"

Reflecting on the couple's renewed relationship, one fan remarked, "Now he needs to marry her! I love that they're back together." Another observed past clues of the news, saying, "We been knew when she kept wearing big jerseys."

The observation aligns with the subtle hints fans had picked up from Ashanti's fashion choices. At several events leading up to the reveal, Ashanti's attire included oversized and carefully styled outfits, likely chosen to comfortably accommodate her growing baby bump.

In her recent Instagram video, Ashanti elegantly sported a shimmery silver dress complemented by an oversized coat, skillfully concealing her blossoming baby bump. Her wavy hair cascaded down the front of her outfit, enhancing her chic appearance.

At a New York City concert on April 2, Ashanti wore a shimmering pink Barbie-inspired dress, an oversized coat, thigh-high boots, and large hoop earrings, with her long hair styled to subtly conceal her belly.

Similarly, at the Tycoon Music Festival in Atlanta on February 13, she opted for a vibrant red ensemble featuring a large fur coat and an oversized shirt, where her baby bump was noticeably visible.

On February 2, at the 10th Anniversary of E11EVEN, Ashanti and Nelly made a fashionable appearance. Ashanti rocked a pink oversized jersey, complemented by accessories, while Nelly sported blue pants, a white shirt, and a bold silver necklace, both wearing sunglasses.

Their joint appearances fueled speculation not only about her pregnancy but also about the details of their relationship, which had not been publicly confirmed until later.

According to 2024 Essence, Ashanti and Nelly resumed communication after unexpectedly encountering each other at the Verzuz event between Fat Joe and Ja Rule. Nelly's approach for a hug surprised Ashanti, as she had not anticipated seeing him there.

The hug, although positive, brought up many unresolved issues and feelings, which Ashanti briefly mentioned during an Instagram Live session. She maintained a positive and private stance, indicating that much had occurred between them.

Despite public speculation, the two quietly worked through their past issues and reconciled. In a September 2023 interview, Nelly confirmed, "Yeah, we cool again. I think it surprised both of us, though. It wasn’t anything that …[was] planned. I think we’re both pretty much doing what we do."

Nelly added that he felt "no pressure" in their relationship now. "You know, before, I felt like both of us were doing what we're doing career-wise. And when you got so many people in the middle of it, it can be tough," he said.

Nelly and Ashanti's romance reportedly started in 2003. In a 2008 People interview, Ashanti, who is known for her private nature, described her relationship with Nelly as being "good friends." She noted, "The industry is very hard, so it's good to have fun and lighten it up."

During that time, she playfully addressed rumors of their engagement, showing her hand without a ring, and teasing, "Oh no. Noooo! No engagement. But definitely in the future. Ha! Ha!"

Ashanti's statement mirrored Nelly's sentiments. In 2010, Nelly spoke about their relationship vaguely, stating, "We never admitted that we were together or back together or separated, but we heard that. Only thing we ever said was we friends and it's the same way now."

Five years after Nelly addressed the status of their friendship, Ashanti confirmed their breakup in a 2015 interview, and openly shared her perspectives on the pivotal role that trust plays in relationships.

"I think sometimes when people have their own insecurities it allows them to act out of character," Ashanti said. Reflecting on feelings of betrayal, she emphasized the necessity of personal growth, maturity, and accountability.

Expressing her aversion to cowardly behavior, she underscored the importance of self-awareness and unwavering determination in pursuing one's aspirations. She noted that she had embarked on a new chapter in life.

Despite the ups and downs, Ashanti and Nelly are now embracing a new phase together. This aligns perfectly with her views on engagement and marriage. With their romance rekindled, they are joyfully moving forward together.

As their relationship blossoms, the couple has never been hesitant to flaunt material gifts. Last year, fans were left surprised when Nelly presented his fiancée with a luxurious piece of jewelry as a gift.