Ashanti, 43, and Nelly, 49, have officially confirmed their engagement and the joyful news of expecting their first child together, marking a new chapter in their relationship.

In an exclusive statement to Essence on Wednesday, April 17, Ashanti expressed her gratitude and excitement for the upcoming journey into motherhood: “This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation. Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”

The announcement came alongside a playful Instagram video shared by the pregnant singer, where she humorously hinted at her pregnancy, showcasing a fertility test from Proov, a company she co-owns with Nelly. Captioning the post with joyful emojis, Ashanti wrote, “Baby baby baby baby…. ❤️🙏🏽😆.”

This delightful news follows Us Weekly’s December 2023 report revealing Ashanti and Nelly’s impending parenthood, marking Nelly’s fifth child. Nelly, who also shares children with ex Channetta Valentine and adopted his late sister’s children, expressed his excitement for the new chapter in their lives.

The couple’s journey traces back to their initial meeting at a Grammy Awards press conference, with their relationship evolving through the years. After a decade-long hiatus, Ashanti and Nelly reconnected in April 2023, surprising both themselves and their fans.

Reflecting on their rekindled romance, Nelly shared his sentiments during a September 2023 appearance on the “Boss Moves with Rasheeda” podcast: “Yeah, we cool again. I think it surprised both of us though. It wasn’t anything that I don’t think was planned.”

Despite the challenges they faced in the past, sources close to the couple revealed that they are taking their time to nurture their relationship this time around, emphasizing their deep understanding and comfort with each other.

Amidst the excitement surrounding Ashanti’s pregnancy, her friends and former partners have shared their heartfelt congratulations and well-wishes. Joyner Lucas, who previously dated Ashanti, expressed his admiration for her, highlighting her qualities as a person and her eagerness to embrace motherhood.

As Ashanti and Nelly embark on this joyous journey together, they are met with an outpouring of love and support from their fans, friends, and well-wishers, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their bundle of joy.

Credit: US Weekly