Nelly & Ashanti's Reunion: A Look Back At Their Romance | News

03 May, 2025

Are Ashanti and Nelly, the iconic R&B sweethearts of the early 2000s, truly back together? After years of speculation, breakups, and reconciliations, the couple has rekindled their romance, captivating fans once again with their love story.

The journey of Ashanti and Nelly has been anything but straightforward. Their initial romance, which blossomed in 2003, captivated the music world and became a benchmark of early 2000s celebrity culture. The couple's music collaborations, including tracks like "Body on Me" and "Switch," offered glimpses into their relationship, each song seemingly hinting at details about their lives together. However, the path was not always smooth. After nearly a decade together, the pair called it quits in 2013, leading to years of public scrutiny and unanswered questions about the reasons behind their separation.

Category	Details
Full Name	Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas
Born	October 13, 1980 (age 44 years)
Birthplace	Glen Cove, New York, USA
Occupation	Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Record Producer, Dancer
Years Active	2002present
Albums	Ashanti (2002) Chapter II (2003) Concrete Rose (2004) The Declaration (2008) Braveheart (2014) A Wonderful Christmas With Ashanti (2022)
Notable Songs	Foolish Happy Baby Rain on Me Rock wit U (Awww Baby) Body on Me (with Nelly)
Relationship Status	Married to Nelly (December 2023)
Children	Kareem Kenkaide Hayes (born July 18, 2024)
Website	ashantithisiseu.com

Speculation about a possible reunion began to swirl again in December 2022, when the pair were spotted together at a concert. Ashanti further fueled the rumors in September 2023, making their relationship "red carpet official" at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she carried a clutch featuring a photo of her and Nelly. The day before, Nelly had confirmed their reunion in an interview, solidifying what many fans had long hoped for.

The couple's history is rich with both public declarations of affection and periods of intense privacy. As their relationship became one of the most talked-about romances of the 2000s, the media and their fans followed their every move. Their red-carpet appearances, their musical collaborations, and the subtle hints of their relationship dynamics in their music all contributed to a narrative that kept the public engaged for years. Their split in 2013 left many heartbroken, and the reasons behind their separation were a subject of intense interest.

The details of the breakup emerged slowly. In 2015, during an appearance on the Meredith Vieira Show, Ashanti spoke candidly about feeling "betrayed," and "moving forward," without explicitly naming Nelly. The New York Daily News reported in August 2009 that the couple had parted ways, with sources suggesting a disagreement over their future as the root cause; Ashanti was ready to settle down, while Nelly reportedly wasn't ready to commit. Regardless, the split remained a delicate matter. It was not until later that Ashanti could speak more openly about the demise of their relationship.

Amidst the rumors and the speculations, Ashanti's name was also linked to other figures in the entertainment industry. Notably, she addressed her relationship with Irv Gotti in 2022, during an "IRL" podcast episode hosted by Angie Martinez. Ashanti clarified that she never dated the music executive, despite the close professional ties and the public interest in their relationship. Also, as of 2025, Angie Stone is reported to be dating Ashanti Graves.

Fast forward to 2023, and the rekindled romance between Ashanti and Nelly took center stage. Their public appearances together were frequent, and their social media interactions gave hints of their growing love. It was evident that they had found their way back to each other after a series of ups and downs. The couple was also spotted performing together at the 10th Anniversary of E11even Celebration on February 2, 2024, and, much to the excitement of their fans, they married in December 2023.

The evolution of Ashanti and Nelly's relationship reflects a broader cultural shift in how we perceive celebrity relationships. The openness with which they've navigated the ups and downs of their romance offers a fascinating insight into the complexities of love, commitment, and second chances, not only for them, but for their adoring audience. Reflecting on their rekindled relationship, Ashanti told ET, "The growth has been, like, superb, you know, like on both ends."

In recent news, Ashanti caused a stir when she was asked about her relationship with Nelly while admiring her "cute" bag. Her response, punctuated by laughter, was a simple, "I mean... yeah," further solidifying the couple's status. The confirmation came after Nelly had already spoken about the relationship, marking the official return of one of the most loved and talked about couples of the 2000s. This time around, they are ready to face the world together, more committed and stronger than ever.

The next chapter in their love story, which will inevitably unfold in the public eye, is one that many eagerly anticipate. From their music collaborations to their red-carpet appearances and now their quiet marriage in 2023, Ashanti and Nelly continue to write a story that keeps fans coming back for more. On July 18, 2024, the couple welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Kareem Kenkaide Hayes.

The renewed romance between Ashanti and Nelly offers a refreshing perspective on relationships, demonstrating the possibility of second chances and the power of enduring love. Their ability to rekindle their flame has further solidified their place in the hearts of many, solidifying their status as R&B royalty.

Ashanti and Nelly's Relationship Timeline — Here's the 4 1 1

Details

Nelly and Ashanti’s Relationship Timeline A Look at Their Rekindled

Details

Ashanti and Nelly's Relationship Timeline Us Weekly

Details

Detail Author:

Name : Elisabeth Feeney Jr.
Username : dpowlowski
Email : rico32@ohara.biz
Birthdate : 1977-03-20
Address : 859 Sister Summit Suite 964 Port Mia, KY 29710
Phone : (810) 849-8510
Company : Tromp LLC
Job : Talent Acquisition Manager
Bio : Aut perferendis aut error porro vitae. Veniam totam est beatae autem est in tempore. Dicta sit nisi deleniti ex eos. Quos iusto pariatur sint minima omnis qui ea ad.

Socials

tiktok:

url : https://tiktok.com/@chadrick4794
username : chadrick4794
bio : Facilis saepe amet in quam fuga eos hic.
followers : 5005
following : 1216

twitter:

url : https://twitter.com/chadrick_official
username : chadrick_official
bio : Commodi consectetur tenetur dolor occaecati fugit sed est. Adipisci qui ipsa occaecati. Esse quis libero dolores ducimus ducimus at dolorem.
followers : 1363
following : 731

instagram:

url : https://instagram.com/ckoch
username : ckoch
bio : Nihil perspiciatis ad ut architecto nobis. Voluptatem ipsa et adipisci ut eos perspiciatis libero.
followers : 199
following : 2200