Nelly married Ashanti because she was pregnant. The couple’s decision to wed came after discovering they were expecting their first child together, marking a significant moment in their rekindled relationship.
The 50-year-old rapper tied the knot with “Foolish” hitmaker Ashanti, 44, in December 2023 and admitted that he quickly decided that they should say their vows because at the time, she was expecting their son. Their private ceremony represented a new beginning for the musical couple who had previously dated for many years.
“I was like, ‘Yo, you know what? Let’s just knock this [wedding] out because we’re going to be doing so much and everything’s moving so fast,'” Nelly said, speaking on “The Bootleg Kev” podcast. The interview provided intimate details about the couple’s decision during this transformative period.
“I didn’t want her to be a baby mama, you know what I mean? Because we already knew where we were in life. If we’re back like this, this must be what it’s supposed to be.” Nelly‘s comments reflect a perspective shared by many couples who choose marriage before welcoming children together.
Ashanti and Nelly did not confirm that they had married until June 2024, and just over a month later, she gave birth to their son KK. The couple maintained privacy about their wedding for more than six months, an impressive achievement in today’s celebrity culture.
“I am feeling amazing, incredibly pleased, humbled,” she told E! News. “My life has completely changed for the better. I feel full, you know? My cup is full.” Ashanti’s words capture the profound emotional impact of both marriage and motherhood.
“We’re going to add some more. Definitely a girl to balance it out. I’m outnumbered in the house right now. So, a girl would be great!”
Ashanti initially dated Nelly — who has Chanelle, 30, and Cornell, 25, with Channetta Valentine and then adopted his sister’s children after she passed away — in the early 2000s but split up years before their reconciliation. Their relationship history spans over two decades, making them one of music’s enduring couples.
“We were together for 11 years off-and-on,” Ashanti said. “We stopped, we hated each other for a good chunk of time. And then we spun the block.” Their journey from love to animosity and back to love again has fascinated fans worldwide, with their reunion capturing widespread attention.
“It just feels like timing is everything.” Her reflection on timing echoes what many relationship experts observe about successful reconciliations occurring when both partners have grown personally during their time apart.
The pop star added was initially shocked that her feelings for Nelly had returned because she thought they had “gone” away after the end of their relationship the first time round. Their story demonstrates how emotions can sometimes resurface unexpectedly after years apart.
“It was, ‘I can’t believe these feelings came back,'” she said. “That’s what it was for me. When we first started talking and dating again it was like, ‘Wait a minute, these feelings were gone. How did they creep back?” Her candid admission provides insight into the emotional complexity of rekindled relationships.
Ashanti recently revealed that while her husband is keen to start sharing pictures of their little one on social media, she is not so sure. This difference highlights the common parental debate about children’s privacy in today’s digital world.
“I just feel like he is so important to me, and I don’t know if I want to share that. He’s a beautiful baby. He’s definitely my twin, he’s definitely my twin!” she told “Entertainment Tonight.” Her protective stance reflects a thoughtful approach to parenting in the public eye.
“Sometimes I want to post, I’m like ‘Oh this is so cute.’ Daddy definitely wants to post, Daddy wants to post. But I’m like, ‘Not yet, Daddy, not yet.'” This glimpse into their parenting discussions shows the challenges couples face in balancing public careers with private family lives.
The couple’s evolution from musical collaborators to romantic partners, then estranged exes, and now spouses and parents represents one of music’s most compelling relationship narratives. Their shared experiences in the entertainment industry appear to have helped forge a stronger connection the second time around, giving their love story a meaningful new chapter.
