Ashanti and Nelly found their way back to each other in 2023 after a series of ups and downs.
The twosome sparked romance speculation in early 2003 after connecting at a Grammys event. Although they played coy about their status for years, Ashanti confirmed in March 2015 that they were a couple until 2013.
Following a decade apart, Ashanti and Nelly rekindled their romance in early 2023. âA few years ago, Ashanti never wouldâve imagined reconciling with Nelly, but theyâre enjoying spending time together,â a source exclusively told Us Weekly in September of that year. âThey donât want to rush anything.â
Three months later, Us exclusively confirmed that the two musicians are expecting their first baby together. The child is Ashantiâs first and Nellyâs third. He already shares daughter Chanelle and son Cornell Haynes III with ex Channetta Valentine.
Scroll down to relive Ashanti and Nellyâs relationship from the beginning:
January 2003
The duo first crossed paths at a Grammy Awards press conference. Ashanti later revealed that Nelly playfully asked for her autograph when they met. âI think he was being sarcastic, and I remember writing it down on the program,â she recalled during a VH1 Behind the Music special. âThat picture has been in so many publications as something else, but it all started out as a joke. For the record, it took him a long time to get my number.â
Nelly and Ashanti KMazur/WireImage
October 2005
Nelly was spotted at Ashantiâs 25th birthday. The following month, Ashanti was seen celebrating Nelly when he turned 31.
July 2006
Ashanti brought Nelly as her date to the John Tucker Must Die premiere. In the movie, Ashanti played cheerleader Heather. The following year, the pair released their first collaboration, âSwitch.â
Nelly and Ashanti Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
December 2009
The musicians teamed up again to release Nellyâs âBody on Meâ music video just months after reports surfaced that they had split.
Ashanti and Nelly Rob Loud/Getty Images
October 2010
âWe never admitted that we were together or back together or separated, but we heard that,â Nelly told Complex when asked about the twosome attending T.I.âs wedding together that August. âOnly thing we ever said was we friends and itâs the same way now.â
Summer 2013
The duo called it quits for a second time.
Ashanti and Nelly Theo Wargo/WireImage for Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation
March 2015
âI think sometimes when people have their own insecurities it allows them to act out of character,â Ashanti said of her split from Nelly during an appearance on The Meredith Vieira Show. âIâve been betrayed. Again, you just have to grow. You have to grow up and accept responsibility for the things that you do. Iâm not a big fan of people being cowards. I think itâs really important to know yourself and understand what you want and get it. Iâm in a different place right now.â
September 2021
Ashanti and Nelly reunited publicly for the first time while appearing on pals Ja Rule and Fat Joeâs âVerzuzâ battle. Ashanti later said during an Instagram Live that she âhad no idea he was gonna be there.â She explained at the time, âI have not seen him or spoken to him since we broke up. Six years or something?â
December 2022
The following year, the twosome took the stage together to perform âBody on Meâ at Power 98.3 and 96.1âs Under the Mistletoe concert. When asked about the reunion, Ashanti told Andy Cohen that she was surprised by how many fans were invested in her and Nellyâs dynamic.
âMy reaction was wow. It was a lot of comments and a lot of people wanting that,â she revealed during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen that month. âWhat I will say is weâre in a better place. You know, cause before, it was like [mimics fighting]. But weâre cool now. Yeah, we have some conversations, you know. So itâs cool.â
April 2023
Nelly and Ashanti sparked reconciliation rumors after they were spotted holding hands in Las Vegas while attending a boxing match.
Nelly and Ashanti PGettyImages-1487782878 ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 3: Rapper Nelly and Ashanti attend R&B Wednesdays at Red Martini Lounge on May 3, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
June 2023
The pair continued to fuel romance speculation when they stepped out at the 3rd Annual Birthday Ball for Quality Control CEO Pierre âPâ Thomas at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta. The event marked their first red carpet as a couple since their 2013 split.
Ashanti and Nelly Paras Griffin/Getty Images
September 2023
Nelly addressed his relationship with Ashanti during a clip from Philo TVâs âBoss Moves with Rasheeda,â saying, âYeah, we cool again.â He confirmed that the rekindled romance âsurprised both of us though,â adding, âIt wasnât anything that I donât think was planned.â
October 2023
The following month, Nelly gushed over his partner on her birthday. He called Ashanti âsuch a beautiful, an incredible person inside and out and one of the hardest working womenâ in an Instagram post at the time. âHappy Birthday Love ya!!!!â
Ashanti and Nelly Prince Williams/WireImage
November 2023
When Nelly turned 49, Ashanti surprised him with a vintage 1962 Impala. âHe was in total shock and overcome with emotion when he saw it. This gift meant the world to him because it had a much more sentimental reason behind it,â a source exclusively told Us at the time. âThis was Nellyâs dream car since he was a kid and he couldnât believe Ashanti gave him such a thoughtful gift. Itâs one of the best presents heâs ever received.â
The insider added that Ashanti âcouldnât waitâ to give Nelly the gift. âShe had been planning this surprise for months and it was such a hard secret to keep. But seeing his reaction made it all worthwhile,â the source said.
December 2023
Us exclusively confirmed Ashanti is pregnant. âNelly and Ashanti are welcoming their first baby together,â an insider confirmed.
April 2023
Ashanti publicly revealed her pregnancy in an April 17 interview with Essence, also confirming the pair are engaged.
âThis new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,â Ashanti told Essence. âMotherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancĂ© and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.â