View gallery
- Ashanti & Nelly are hip hop royalty
- Ashanti’s greatest solo hit is 2002’s ‘Foolish,’ whereas Nelly has 2002’s “Hot in Herre’
- The pair’s on-again/off-again romance has spanned 2 a long time
Ashanti and Nelly placed on an eyebrow-raising efficiency not too long ago and followers took their on-stage grinding as extra proof of a rekindled romance! During Nelly’s headline set at his “Hot In Herree” music competition in June, 2023. Ashanti got here out and danced up on the rapper, 48, whereas performing their big collab hit “Body On Me.” The scorching chemistry between the pair, who broke up in 2013 after 10 years collectively, was greater than sufficient to trace that Ashanti and Nelly are again on. To echo the sentiment, an insider informed Entertainment Tonight that they’re “happy” reunited, with a second supply including, “Nelly and Ashanti are really enjoying their time together.”
As followers know, the pair had been the epitome of an influence couple within the 2000s. They started courting in 2003, launched a number of hit songs collectively, flirted with an engagement and had been reportedly collectively on and off for a decade. However, the fairytale resulted in 2013, and issues appeared a bit rocky between the exes.
With their latest risque live performance, it appeared time heals all wounds. However, it stays a bit unclear whether or not this reunion is actually the rekindling of a once-intense love affair. One factor is definite: Ashanti and Nelly’s latest encounters have reignited the flames of curiosity amongst their devoted stans. Let’s take a deeper dive to seek out out extra about their love story, beneath.
Meet-Cute
Ashanti and Nelly started their romance after first assembly at a Grammy’s press convention in 2003 on the peak of their careers. Ashanti was driving excessive on the waves of success, because of her breakout solo single, “Foolish.” The observe dominated the charts, spending a formidable 10 weeks on the coveted No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. She saved the momentum going with noteworthy collaborations reminiscent of “What’s Luv?” with Fat Joe and “Always on Time” with Ja Rule. Meanwhile, Nelly was making his personal mark within the rap scene along with his debut single, “Country Grammar” and the album of the identical identify, which went on to promote over 10 million copies.
Ashanti recalled her preliminary expertise with Nelly on a 2011 episode of Behind the Music. “The first time I met Nelly he asked me for my autograph, but I think he was being sarcastic and I remember writing it down on the program,” Ashanti mentioned. “For the record, it took him a long time to get my number.”
The Romance
The lovable couple had been fairly coy about their relationship and as a substitute of asserting it, they determined to make music collectively! Both of their hit collabs “Body On Me” and “Switch” talked in regards to the ins and outs of a romance, making followers go much more wild in regards to the couple’s potential love connection.
Soon there was no denying the connection, and Ashanti and Nelly had been out and about trying like an authorized couple, hitting up pink carpets and music awards reveals. Still, they performed it coy and extra confusion was forward for followers. In 2005, Ashanti confirmed to People that she “went out” with Nelly, however mentioned they had been “not boyfriend and girlfriend”. And then three years later, she teased to the outlet that an engagement was “definitely in the future.” Make it make sense.
Two years after Ashanti’s engagement tease, Nelly didn’t assist clear something up when he informed Rap-Up TV why he wasn’t going to suggest anytime quickly. “I don’t know, right now we’re just friends,” he replied when requested about tying the knot. “I’m married to my work. I’m married to getting things into a certain situation. She’s married to getting things into a certain situation right now.” He added, “We enjoy each other’s company. We love it.”
The Split
Perhaps the marriage hesitation was an indication of issues to return between the couple. In a shocking flip of occasions in 2013, Nelly and Ashanti quietly ended their relationship after a formidable decade collectively. Their break up, shrouded in secrecy, left the world with little information of the explanations behind their choice to half methods.
A yr after their breakup, Ashanti shed some mild on the scenario throughout a candid interview on HOT 97. In an effort to dispel the hypothesis surrounding their break up, she assured followers that there was no animosity or “beef” between her and Nelly.
Two years later, Ashanti opened up extra in regards to the break up. While showing on The Meredith Vieira Show in 2015, Ashanti mentioned belief points could have performed an element within the demise. “I think sometimes when people have their own insecurities it allows them to act out of character,” she mentioned. “I’ve been betrayed.”
Rumors Of A Reunion
Last December, a video surfaced of Ashanti and Nelly performing collectively at a live performance. In it, the pair had been seen getting fairly cozy on stage whereas singing their 2008 hit collab “Body on Me.” During a cease on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Ashanti was grilled about her standing with Nelly. “What I will say is, we’re in a better place,” she mentioned. “Because before it was like [*punching*]. We have some conversations [now]. So it was cool.”
Where Do They Stand Now?
Two months later, followers couldn’t assist themselves speculate a bit extra when Ashanti was snapped rocking a Cuban hyperlink chain round her neck, very like the one Nelly wears, together with on the 2023 Grammy Awards. The photograph clearly added to the “will they or wont they” vibe that’s holding their stans on edge. In an interview with ET on the 2023 Grammys, Nelly additionally hinted on the energy of time in mending relationships. “Time does wonders for a lot of different things,” he cryptically revealed, leaving followers to surprise if it was a delicate nod to his personal rekindled reference to Ashanti.
Now with stories that they’re “happy” collectively, it appears just like the pair are having fun with some kind of reunion. In the meantime, HollywoodLife will proceed to observe the Nelly and Ashanti scenario and preserve you posted!
Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the most well liked celeb information.
Discussion about this post