Ashanti and Nelly Are Back Together After a Decade, and Fans Are Thrilled for Their Future (2024)

But, in 2022, fans began speculating that the musicians might be giving their relationship another shot. After all, they were seen being cordial with each other at Fat Joe and Ja Rule’s September 2021 Verzuz Battle and performed together at Oakland Arena in August 2022. So, what gives? Are Ashanti and Nelly really rekindling their romance? Before we get to the tea, let’s explore their relationship timeline.

Ashanti and Nelly first met at a 2003 Grammy Awards press conference.

“The first time I met Nelly he asked me for my autograph, but I think he was being sarcastic and I remember writing it down on the program,” Ashanti said in VH1’s Behind the Music special, via the Rap-Up. “That 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.”

After their 2003 meet-up, industry insiders became aware that Ashanti and Nelly were an item.

Privacy is important for a successful relationship. After Ashanti and Nelly met each other in 2003, it was clear that the two became an item shortly after. Per Cheat Sheet, the “Foolish” songstress and the “Country Grammar” MC dated quietly for a decade.

Although photos of the pair spending time together made their rounds — along with flirty encounters in music videos (2009’s “Body on Me”) — the pair never publicly confirmed their relationship at the time. Nelly was even considering popping the question to Ashanti. In a 2010 interview with the Rap-Up, Nelly opened up about wanting to take the next step.

Why did Ashanti and Nelly break up? Ashanti seemingly alluded to being betrayed by Nelly on ‘The Meredith Vieira Show’ in 2015.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! Although Ashanti has always remained mum about her relationship with Nelly, fans believed that she shared insight into the demise of their relationship.

Additionally, Ashanti famously threw shade at Nelly during a 2018 concert. Someone in the audience shouted, “F--k Nelly!” Ashanti proceeded to say, “Word,” while pointing at the individual.

Fans were hopeful that Ashanti and Nelly would get back together.

Everyone adores a love story and in the hip-hop world, Ashanti and Nelly were a fan-favorite couple. And since the pair reunited on stage for a performance of their 2008 hit “Body on Me” at the Oakland Arena, fans grew hopeful that their flirty behavior signified a reunion.

Additionally, Nelly also made it a point to throw shade at Irv Gotti. Irv recently talked about his alleged relationship with Ashanti years ago. During his Drink Champs interview, Irv discussed learning about Ashanti and Nelly's relationship by watching a basketball game the pair attended together.

Of course, word got back to Nelly and the St. Louis MC made it a point to take a dig at Irv. Per GlockTopickz's Twitter page, at the end of Ashanti and Nelly’s performance, the 47-year-old fired off a timely joke.

“Ayo, I got floor seats to the next game, what's happening?" he said to Ashanti as she walked off stage. Ashanti immediately bent over and started laughing. Well played Mr. Pimp Juice.

Ja Rule shared that “Nelly is single now,” to which Ashanti quickly shut down by saying, “Yeah, but I ain’t! So …” While the songstress may have been off the market at that time, the two have managed to find their way back to one another.

Nelly and Ashanti starting dating again in 2023.

During a September 2023 episode of Boss Moves with Rasheeda, Nelly told the alum, “Yeah. We cool again,” confirming to fans that he and Ashanti were back on. Then, for Ashanti's 43rd birthday, Nelly surprised the singer with an iced out necklace and watch.

Us Weekly’s exclusive came days after TMZ spotted Ashanti and Nelly at his annual black and white ball in his hometown of St. Louis, Mo. During the event, Ashanti, wearing a black cutout gown with a silver snowflake, held her stomach and beamed before Nelly’s audience. Nelly then put his hand on Ashanti’s stomach and they both laughed and moved on with the party.

Ashanti and Nelly have yet to confirm their pregnancy themselves, but their fans are excited to see them possibly welcome a child following the reunion that was ten years in the making. While we're so excited to see the two back at it, the pressing question remains: Will Nelly and Ashanti finally get married? Apparently, yes!

Ashanti confirmed she’s pregnant and engaged to Nelly in 2024.

The baby will be Ashanti’s first and Nelly’s fifth. The “Country Grammar” rapper has two children, Chanelle and Cornell Jr., from previous relationships. He also adopted his sister, Jackie Donahue’s twins, Shawn and Sydney Thomas, after she died of leukemia in 2005.

We’re not exaggerating when we say Nelly and Ashanti’s child will be gagged by their parents’ love story ending on a happy note 20 years later. We sure are!