Ashanti, aged 43, and Nelly, aged 49, are reportedly anticipating the arrival of their first child together, as disclosed by an insider to Us Weekly.
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A source informed the outlet, “Nelly and Ashanti are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first baby together.”
While this will be Ashanti’s inaugural experience as a parent, the “Dilemma” rapper is already a father to a daughter, Chanelle, aged 29, and a son, Cornell Haynes III, aged 24, from his previous relationship with Channetta Valentine.
The on-again, off-again couple sparked pregnancy speculation over the weekend during Nelly’s Black and White Ball in St. Louis.
Video footage circulating online has fueled speculation among fans that Ashanti and Nelly are expecting a child.
While on stage together, the “Foolish” singer placed her hands on her stomach in the shape of a heart, as seen in a video posted on Twitter.
Without hesitation, Nelly mirrored the gesture, affectionately rubbing the singer’s belly.
Upon realizing that they might have unintentionally revealed the news, the rapper pulled Ashanti close, and they both burst into laughter.
When the emcee commented “sealing the deal,” Nelly simply pointed at Ashanti’s belly before both erupting in laughter again.
The couple first crossed paths in 2003 during a Grammys Awards press conference. Despite dating for a decade, they ended their relationship in 2013.
However, in April 2023, they sparked rumours of reconciliation while sitting ringside at a boxing match in Las Vegas.
After dating discreetly for a few months, the rapper confirmed in September that they were officially back together.
“Yeah, we cool again,” the “Ride Wit Me” performer stated in an interview at the time with “Love & Hip Hop” stars Rasheeda and Kirk Frost (shared by The Shade Room).
Nelly acknowledged that the couple needed time apart to make their current romance successful.
“I think we both were pretty much doing what we do, but sometimes being separate you understand one another more,” he said.
“You be like, ‘Yo, let me see exactly what they see.’ You know, because we all can be defensive sometimes in our own relationships. We know we wrong but we going to stand on it. But we all a victim to that.”
Since rekindling their romance, the couple has appeared to be stronger than ever, showering each other with gifts.
In October, Nelly surprised Ashanti with a large diamond necklace with heart accents and a diamond-crusted watch for her birthday.
The following month, the songstress reciprocated by surprising Nelly with his dream car.
After the rapper shared a video of the blue vehicle, one follower encouraged him to start a family with Ashanti, to which he playfully responded, “I’m on it.”
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