By LOS ANGELES — Grammy-winning R&B singer Ashanti has given birth to her first child with husband and fellow musician Nelly, the couple announced on Wednesday. The news comes amid revelations about their secret wedding and a complex relationship timeline.
Ashanti, 43, shared the news on Instagram with a mirror selfie showcasing her postpartum figure. “Funny how life’s plans aren’t…always on time.. lol,” she wrote, referencing her 2001 hit song with Ja Rule. The singer expressed pride in her body’s capabilities and her excitement about motherhood.
The couple, who had announced their pregnancy in April 2024, have now disclosed that they were secretly married in December 2023. Public records indicate that the nuptials took place in Nelly’s hometown of St. Louis County, Missouri, on December 27, 2023.
This child marks Ashanti’s first, while it’s the fifth for Nelly, 49. The couple’s relationship has spanned two decades, with several periods of separation and reconciliation.
Their history dates back to 2003 when they met at a Grammy Awards press conference. After dating for several years, they split in 2009, briefly reconciled in 2010, and separated again in 2013. In 2023, Nelly confirmed their rekindled romance during an interview, stating, “Yeah, we cool again.”
The pregnancy announcement in April 2024 came through a comedic Instagram video featuring Ashanti’s mother, Tina Douglas. At the same time, the couple announced their engagement, though reports suggest they may have been engaged three months prior.
This joyous news comes on the heels of recent legal troubles for Nelly. Earlier this month, he was arrested and booked for drug possession after being pulled over while driving in Maryland Heights, Missouri. His attorney has denied the drug charge, stating the arrest was related to an outstanding warrant for “No Proof of Insurance” from 2018.
As the couple navigates parenthood, they continue to balance their personal lives with their successful music careers. Ashanti, known for hits like “Foolish” and “Rock Wit U (Awww Baby),” has sold over 15 million records worldwide. Nelly, with chart-toppers like “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” has been a prominent figure in hip-hop for over two decades.
The birth announcement and wedding revelation have sparked renewed interest in the couple, who have managed to keep significant life events private despite their high-profile status in the entertainment industry.
As fans celebrate this new chapter in Ashanti and Nelly’s lives, the music world watches with interest to see how parenthood might influence their artistic endeavors and public personas.
