Nelly and Ashanti had people talking when they wore matching outfits to the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia fight in Las Vegas earlier this month. Then, upping the ante, the former couple performed their 2008 hit “Body on Me” at a pool party together the very next day, and the entertainers danced on each other mid-segment, causing the crowd to go wild.
For those who don’t know, Nelly and Ashanti were one of the music couples that fans adored in the 2000s. They began dating in 2003, released music together, and were reportedly together on and off for a decade. There were also talks of a possible engagement in the future. However, the fairytale ended in 2013, and Ashanti revealed that she felt betrayed by the rapper. As the famous saying goes, time heals all. So much so that during Ashanti’s Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen appearance last December, she revealed that she was in a better place with her ex after they had a brief encounter at the Fat Joe and Ja Rule Verzuz in September 2021.
After months of speculation, the two confirmed their rekindled relationship in September 2023. Let’s take a look back at their history and how they found their way back to each other.
Nelly and Ashanti meet
Ashanti and Nelly start dating
Nelly and Ashanti release music together
Nelly says he’s not ready to marry Ashanti
Ashanti and Nelly call it quits
Ashanti talks about Nelly split, says she’s been betrayed
Nelly and longtime girlfriend split
Nelly and Ashanti reunite at the Fat Joe and Ja Rule Verzuz
View this video on YouTube
When: September 2021
During Fat Joe and Ja Rule’s Verzuz battle, the two exes reunited for the first time since their breakup. The former couple were invited on stage to perform their songs with the participants. At one point during the battle, Nelly walked across the stage to give Ashanti a hug.
In an Instagram Live session after the Verzuz battle, Ashanti admitted that she was surprised to see her ex. “Now look, this is the crazy part: I had no idea he was gonna be there,” she revealed. “I haven’t seen him or spoken to him since we broke up. So, I didn’t know what to expect.”
She continued, “I seen his eyes get big and I didn’t know what was gonna happen. I didn’t know what to expect. It was positive.”
Nelly echoed a similar sentiment about their run-in, saying he “didn’t want any uncomfortable feeling.”
Irv Gotti says Ashanti left him for Nelly
Ashanti says she’s in a “better place” with Nelly
![When: December 2022
In December 2022, Ashanti appeared on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen and reflected on her recent performance with Nelly. A few days before, Nelly joined Ashanti onstage during Power 98.3 and 96.1's Under the Mistletoe concert in Arizona, where they performed their 2008 single “Body on Me.”
Ashanti explained that she was surprised by the outpouring of support from fans, and revealed where she stood with her ex-boyfriend. "My reaction was wow,” Ashanti said in reference to fans’ comments about their performance. “It was a lot of comments and a lot of people wanting that. What I will say is we're in a better place. You know, cause before, it was like [mimics fighting]. But we're cool now. Yeah, we have some conversations, you know. So it's cool."](https://img.youtube.com/vi/1HozCX2Num0/mqdefault.jpg)
View this video on YouTube
When: December 2022
In December 2022, Ashanti appeared on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen and reflected on her recent performance with Nelly. A few days before, Nelly joined Ashanti onstage during Power 98.3 and 96.1's Under the Mistletoe concert in Arizona, where they performed their 2008 single “Body on Me.”
Ashanti explained that she was surprised by the outpouring of support from fans, and revealed where she stood with her ex-boyfriend. "My reaction was wow,” Ashanti said in reference to fans’ comments about their performance. “It was a lot of comments and a lot of people wanting that. What I will say is we're in a better place. You know, cause before, it was like [mimics fighting]. But we're cool now. Yeah, we have some conversations, you know. So it's cool."
Nelly opens up about Ashanti reunion
Ashanti and Nelly spotted multiple times together in Vegas
Nelly and Ashanti confirm their relationship
When: September 2023
After months of speculation, Nelly finally confirmed their relationship. The MC was featured on Philo TV’s Boss Moves with Rasheeda when he was put on the spot regarding his relationship status with Ashanti. He first laughed, saying, “No, warm up,” as he pondered the question.
“Yeah, we cool again. We cool again. I think it surprised both of us, though,” he confirmed. “It wasn’t anything that was, like, I don’t think planned. I think we both was pretty much doing what we do. But sometimes, being separate, you understand one another more.”
He went on to mention that his end goal in life is marriage. “I think for me, because I’ve never been married, my goal is to die married. It’s not to have been married,” he said.
Ashanti hosts Nelly’s surprise party
When: October 2023
The pair celebrated the “Country Grammar” artist’s 49th birthday party at Frost Bistro & Bar in ATL. The night was full of star-studded attendees, including Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, T.I., and his family. According to People, they honored Nelly throughout the night, singing his legendary aughts hits during karaoke.
Ashanti topped off the night with a major surprise for her boo. She gifted the rapper a custom old-school Impala. The singer posted his jaw-dropping reaction to her story. “Besides my kids, this is the best gift ever,” he said.
Nelly showed off his new ride on Instagram, captioning his post, “Sometimes all you can say is ‘Thank You’ Best gift I ever received besides my kids!!!! You showed out shawty!!! Love you @ashanti.”
She responded by seemingly wanting to go to “pound town” when she got home. “Ur welcome bighead! Your face was priceless! love u too! Pound town soon as I get back to the house,” she wrote underneath the post.
Nelly hints at baby-making with Ashanti
When: November 2023
Seemingly in love with his new ride, Nelly took to his Instagram to show off his custom-made car. The MC gave his followers a detailed glimpse of the vehicle in a video. “Wow I don’t think they understand…!!! #nipblue Bday Overkill.. !! @drinkmoshine,” he captioned.
In the comment section, users raved over the Ashanti gift. “Get her pregnant @nelly TONIGHT.”
In agreement, Nelly responded, “Already on it.”
Nelly has four children (two biological and two from his late sister, Jackie Donahue). As for Ashanti, she has been taking her time regarding children. But with the recent rekindling of their relationship, Nelly has seemingly hinted that the couple may be trying to get pregnant.
Nelly and Ashanti are expecting first child together
When: December 2023
US Weekly confirmed that Ashanti is expecting her first child with Nelly. “Nelly and Ashanti are welcoming their first baby together,” a source told the outlet.
The songstress sparked pregnancy rumors in early December after she and Nelly shared an inside joke on stage at Nelly’s Black and White Ball in St. Louis. According to TMZ, the singer put her hand on her belly, with Nelly doing the same. The two started laughing, seemingly hinting at the exciting news.
The couple has yet to confirm the news.
