It took decades for Nelly and Ashanti to find their happily ever after, but just one year for them to get back together, get engaged, and get pregnant.
Now, everything is getting revealed about Nelly and Ashanti’s second-chance love story, and there’s a whole lot of tea to spill!
One lucky media outlet recently got a “behind-the-scenes” exclusive at Ashanti’s stunning maternity shoot. Entertainment Tonight got the scoop, and they didn’t just publish gorgeous photos of Ashanti in a sparkly gold bikini with her baby bump on a sunny beach.
Ashanti Reveals Shocking Pregnancy Secret
Ashanti told ET a shocking secret about her pregnancy reveal and how Nelly spoke out on stage before they even knew for sure that she was having a baby.
This past April, Ashanti went “Instagram-official” with her baby news, and it’s one of the cutest video reveals ever. Ashanti is preparing to go on stage, and the video shows one of her team members doing a quick check-in with Ashanti. After that, Ashanti’s mom, Tina Douglas, pops in, and Tina asks her daughter “how much time” until she’ll be ready.
Ashanti answers Tina’s question by appearing ready and gorgeous in the video. However, she admits, “I’m gonna need about nine months.” Then Tina reacts with shock and joy at the news that she will be a grandma.
When Ashanti And Nelly’s Pregnancy Rumor Mill Started
However, as Nelly and Ashanti’s fans and followers know, the speculation about Ashanti possibly being pregnant started months earlier. One of the things that really got the rumor mill going was their appearance together on stage during a fancy ball in St. Louis last December.
The River Front Times reported on Nelly’s Black & White Ball, an annual, star-studded event in St. Louis to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
River Front Times wrote that “hip-hop luminaries, local celebrities, and St. Louis sports legends” mingled at the Black & White Ball. The local media outlet sounded most surprised when they reported that Nelly and Ashanti hosted the evening and were “back together!”
Wyclef Jean kicked off the “late-night party” after a fancy dinner, and then River Front Times reported that “the man of the hour, Nelly,” took over “with a stageful of friends.” Ashanti was on stage with her man, and their onstage banter got caught on a viral video.
Nelly ‘Got Tongues Wagging’
As ET wrote of the viral video moment, Nelly “got tongues wagging,” and it all began when it looked like Ashanti was placing “her hands on her belly.”
The video shows the crowd going nuts as Nelly quickly caresses Ashanti’s tummy, sticks his tongue out, and then puts an adorable grin on his face. Ashanti proves she can handle the situation gracefully as she “playfully slaps his hand away.” They both started laughing, the crowd cheered, and ET added that producer Polow da Don cracked a joke into the mic that Nelly and Ashanti should “seal the deal” already, and the crowd started chanting “seal the deal,” too.
Ashanti Spills Tea About Nelly
At that point, Nelly really didn’t have to admit anything about a baby because the image of him with Ashanti spoke more than a thousand words. But as Ashanti told ET, there was one little problem.
Shockingly, Ashanti confessed to ET that she didn’t even know she was pregnant on December 3rd, and Nelly couldn’t have known something that Ashanti didn’t. Or could he?
Ashanti thinks there is just one explanation for what went down in that viral video: it was a sheer coincidence! But she also spilled some tea about Nelly.
Ashanti alleged that Nelly wanted to make “it look like something” on stage, even though she claimed no baby belly was “showing” at the Black & White Ball. As she confirmed to ET, “I hadn’t even taken a [pregnancy] test at that time.” Still, Nelly had fun on his mind.
Ashanti also revealed that when it looked like she was caressing her stomach, she was “just trying to adjust the pendant” on her gorgeous black dress.
She told ET, “I was pushing [the pendant] down,” and in the video, Nelly sees her doing that. That’s when he also rubs her belly to make it “look like something.” At this point, they both burst into laughter, and Ashanti later admitted to ET that she playfully said, “No!” to make her man stop.
Ashanti “Confirmed Her Suspicions” About Being Pregnant
Ashanti wanted to be clear about her pregnancy timeline with ET, and one revelation she made is that she didn’t miss a period until weeks after the Black & White Ball. Then, Ashanti began to suspect something.
As ET reported, Ashanti “confirmed her suspicions” about possibly being pregnant, and as soon as she knew for sure, she “immediately notified” Nelly.
Ashanti was so excited she FaceTimed Nelly. She told ET, “I couldn’t wait,” and she “had to get it out.” You can be the judge of how Nelly took the pregnancy news.
When Ashanti got a hold of Nelly on video chat, she revealed, “He was just like, ‘Oh, I knew.’” If that sounds like a letdown, Ashanti reassured ET that Nelly’s reaction to their “big news” was pure joy. So, maybe Nelly knew something deep down after all?
Ashanti Said Nelly Was ‘So Happy’
Ashanti said that Nelly was “so happy,” and they were “smiling.” Something else about the timing of her FaceTime call was “so funny” to Ashanti and Nelly, and she revealed that to ET.
When Ashanti FaceTimed Nelly, she explained, “He was in the studio,” and she was “actually at his mom’s house.” It sounds like a full circle moment, and Ashanti described it as “really cool” and “a little bit of everything.”
People reported two pieces of joyful news on April 17th with the headline: “Ashanti Confirms She’s Pregnant, Expecting Baby with Nelly, and They’re Engaged.”
The article revealed how Nelly had dropped a bombshell about their future pregnancy plans, even if he was just having fun again as he did in the viral video.
Instagram Follower Demanded Nelly To Get Ashanti ‘Pregnant Tonight’
People wrote that Nelly and Ashanti were flirting “in the comments of an Instagram post.” Their fans and followers can’t get enough of this adorable couple, and one follower had the nerve to say something personal to Nelly.
The follower demanded on Instagram that Nelly should get Ashanti “pregnant tonight.” That took some nerve, but Nelly took it in stride.
People wrote that Nelly replied with a “saluting emoji” and the quick message that he was “on it.”
Ashanti’s Personal Confession
Ashanti confirmed to ET that she has “zero symptoms” right now and that her pregnancy has been “amazing” so far. She admitted, “I’m still performing,” and Ashanti realizes how “happy” and “blessed” she is. But this is still real life, and Ashanti made a personal confession.
She admitted to ET that it’s hard to see her body changing so dramatically, especially with her “growing bump.” But Ashanti still can’t believe her dreams are coming true, and she admitted this to ET.
Ashanti confessed that she “always knew” she wanted to be a wife and mom, and while she “always had dreams” or “visions it was going to happen,” she “never in a million years” thought she’d be on this path towards marriage and motherhood with Nelly.
It sounds like Ashanti has a great role model in Tina, who she describes as “just the epitome of unconditional love.” She also calls Tina a “selfless person,” and Ashanti says that everyone in her life, including Nelly, “says the same things” about how “amazingly spectacular” her mom is.
Ashanti Shares The Kind Of Father Nelly Is
Ashanti is equally grateful for Nelly’s extensive experience with kids. She told ET, “I think he’s going to be amazing, he’s so good with his kids.” Nelly and Ashanti have super-busy careers, and she noted how Nelly makes his business and personal life work.
Ashanti revealed that when Nelly has the “chance to spend time” with his kids, he always “makes it count.” Even though Nelly has had to “make sacrifices because of [his] career,” when he’s “together” with his family, Ashanti sweetly calls it “the best thing in the world to watch.”
Ashanti Can’t Wait To Watch ‘That Spirit Grow’
Fans and followers are excited about Nelly and Ashanti’s new arrival, but no one can beat Ashanti’s excitement and anticipation about this new chapter in her life.
She revealed to ET how “excited” she is to meet “this little human version of myself and [Nelly], the person that I love so much [to] be here.” Ashanti calls her unborn baby “an extension of both of us,” and she can’t wait to watch “that spirit grow.”
