Entertainment
Ashanti confirms pregnancy and engagement to Nelly after viral video of him performing at a concert with empty seats
After months of speculation, singer Ashanti finally revealed her pregnancy on Wednesday, April 17, via an Instagram video with the caption, “Baby, baby, baby.”
As she was preparing to go on stage, her “mom” Tina Douglas, who apparently confirmed the news last month, asked, “Shan, how much time do you need?”
The “Foolish” singer got here out from behind the scenes and said, “I need about nine months,” while holding what appears to be a positive pregnancy test.
In an interview with Essence magazine, Ashanti also revealed that she and Nelly are actually engaged.
“This new year of my life is a blessing full of love, hope and expectation,” she said he said. “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.”
This exciting news comes days after a viral video of Nelly performing for University of Florida students to a not-so-sold out crowd.
Ashanti reveals that she is pregnant 🍼pic.twitter.com/ZRizcsru91
— Hot Freestyle (@HotFreestyle) April 17, 2024
The three-time Grammy winner hit the high notes when he took the stage on April 9 for a free-to-the-public performance as part of an event co-sponsored by Student Government Productions and the ACCENT Speakers Bureau.
Footage from the show circulating on social media revealed that the Stephen C. O’Connell Center was nearly empty.
“I feel second-hand shame,” the video’s caption reads. The video features the “Hot In Herre” rapper and his brother City Spud, who can also be a founding member of St. Lunatics, performing on stage, and it wasn’t hot inside.
“I definitely would have preferred if there were more people because it seemed a little empty at first,” said Jennifer Cardenas, a UF freshman WUFT. “When he started doing music, it got better and I really liked it.”
According to the station, the performance was supposed to start at 7:00 p.m., but due to low attendance, the “Country Grammar” emcee began performing only at 8:00 p.m. It was then that spectators who arrived were informed that they might take a seat on the ground, leaving several rows of seats empty.
According to WUFT, Nelly didn’t let the boring crowd dissuade him from imparting sage wisdom about being a good person and having a good heart to future graduates. However, on social media, reactions to the concert were mixed and interspersed with remarks about his girlfriend, Ashanti.
“She’s still coming home to Ashanti,” wrote a fan who hailed Nelly’s love life as the best victory of all. “I hate it when people try to shame someone. This clearly looks like a sound check to me.” he wrote another person stands up for him.
Even rapper The Game weighed in on the difficulty, writing, “Nothing to see here. He probably earned 60-100 thousand per performance, even though there was only one person performing. Sometimes promoters decide not to promote shows, so it’s not helpful.”
Is that why Ashanti won’t sit down!? 19 months with a baby and all the things https://t.co/7xJkBKcSJ9
— Judy Funnie (@Lit_Introvert) April 15, 2024
But one other one that wanted to tie the show to the “Foolish” singer couldn’t help herself Attention“So this is why Ashanti won’t sit down!? 19 months with a baby and everything.”
Pregnancy rumors first surfaced last May, when fans noticed her chubby appearance during a joint performance in Last Vegas. Speculation that she was secretly pregnant with a child grew as her figure appeared fuller and her rounded belly began to peek out from under her oversized stage costumes at various live shows.
In March, Ashanti’s mother by chance announced that her daughter was pregnant.
When the radio host congratulated her on the upcoming birth of her first grandchild, Douglas quickly snapped, “Nothing has been announced. It ain’t out yet until I hear it from Ashanti and Nelly,” adding, “It ain’t out yet until I hear it from Ashanti and Nelly.”
Ashanti’s ex-boyfriend Joyner Lucas confirmed the news ahead of her announcement, saying, “She’s having a baby soon. I’m just excited. I know how much you wanted to be a mom” – during a recent interview.
Nelly and Ashanti dated on and off from 2003 until 2013, after they broke up for good. To the shock of many, they rekindled their romance sometime in 2022, but didn’t publicly confirm that they’d be an exclusive relationship until 2023. Neither party was married, nonetheless, Nelly has two adult children from previous relationships and an adopted niece and a nephew after his sister died of leukemia in 2005.
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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