Ashanti and Nelly are engaged and expecting their first child together

Months after confirming their rekindled romance, Ashanti and Nelly are teaming up for a special collaboration – a baby.

This week, the “Foolish” singer teased growing pregnancy rumors in an Instagram video ad home fertility diagnostics company Proov, which she and the rapper co-own with founder Dr. Amy Beckley. In the video, Ashanti appears to be preparing for a performance; when her mother, Tina Douglas, always asks her daughter how much time she needs backstage, the star finally replies, “Uh, I’ll need about nine months.”

The singer further confirmed her pregnancy in an exclusive interview with Essence magazine, during which she also announced her engagement to Nelly.

“This new year of my life is a blessing full of love, hope and expectation,” Ashanti told the publication. “Motherhood is something I’ve been looking forward to, and sharing it with my family, fiancé and the loyal fans who have been so supportive of my career is an amazing experience.”

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In 2023, the couple confirmed the resumption of their romantic relationship. During an appearance on “Boss Moves with Rasheeda”, Nelly said that they were dating again.

“We’re cool again,” the rapper said. “But I think it surprised both of us. It wasn’t something that was planned (…) But sometimes, when you are apart, you understand each other better.”

Meanwhile, the mother-to-be solidified her latest relationship status by carrying a custom clutch bag with a photograph of the 2 of them from 2003, the 12 months they were initially rumored to be dating.

Shortly after the couple confirmed the romance rumors, pregnancy rumors began to flow into when fans spotted an intimate moment between them on stage. During a December appearance on the Four Seasons Hotel, Ashanti and Nelly placed their hands on her belly and exchanged smiles, which made fans consider that baby news can be coming soon. Similarly, the rapper once replied, “I’m on it,” to an Instagram comment during which he titled, “Get (Ashanti) pregnant tonight,” in keeping with People magazine.

Although that is Ashanti’s first child, the couple’s baby will join daughter Nelly Chanelle, his son Cornell Jr. and his niece and nephew, Shawn and Sydney Thomas, whom he adopted after his sister Jackie Donahue died of leukemia in 2005.

“We are in a great space,” Ashanti previously said People. “Everything is positive. (We) are having a great time.”

Replica “Kid” by Ashanti!