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Us Weekly has confirmed that Grammy-winning rapper Nelly and singer Ashanti are anticipating the arrival of their first child together. The unexpected pregnancy follows the rekindling of their romance earlier this year.
The 43-year-old singer and Nelly, 49, who were on and off from 2003 to 2013, have surprised many with the news of their pregnancy. While Nelly shares a 29-year-old daughter, Chanelle, and a 24-year-old son, Cornell Haynes III, with his ex Channetta Valentine, this child will be Ashanti's first.
Speculation about Ashanti's pregnancy first arose during the Grammy award-winning rapper's 11th Black and White Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis over the weekend.
The couple attended the event together, where Ashanti, in a seemingly telling moment, placed her hand on her stomach, hinting at a potential baby bump. Nelly, too, touched her stomach during the event, leading to laughter between the two, as captured in a fan video shared by TMZ.
Despite the buzz surrounding their growing family, neither Nelly nor Ashanti has officially confirmed the pregnancy or made any announcements on social media.
The couple's journey has been marked by ups and downs, with their previous relationship allegedly ending in betrayal. In a 2015 interview on The Meredith Viera Show, Ashanti opened up about the challenges, stating, "I think sometimes when people have their own insecurities, it allows them to act out of character." She talked about the importance of growth and taking responsibility for one's actions.
Surprisingly, after their unexpected reunion in September 2023, both Nelly and Ashanti have been enjoying their time together, according to a source close to the couple. The source revealed to Us Weekly that Ashanti "never would’ve imagined reconciling" with her ex, echoing Nelly's own surprise at the rekindled romance.
