In a surprising revelation, Ashanti and Nelly have been quietly married since December 27, 2023. The couple, who rekindled their romance last year, kept their nuptials under wraps, only now confirmed through public records from St. Louis, Missouri.
The pair, who had previously announced their engagement and are expecting a child, have managed to maintain a low profile about their marital status. Ashanti shared her joy over the intimate proposal, describing it as an incredibly beautiful moment.
"The way that it happened was just so funny. I'm sitting in bed, watching TV with boxers on. ... It's not sexy!" she said. "I cried. I gave him the biggest hug and kiss ever."
Ashanti added: "I was overjoyed and shocked and surprised and happy kind of like all in one."
Ashanti and Nelly had privately dated on and off for around a decade, according to Entertainment Tonight, after they were both nominated for (and later won) Grammy Awards in 2003. In 2021, after the two reunited at Fat Joe and Ja Rule's Verzuz battle, DJ City gave Nelly Ashanti's phone number.
After months of speculation about the "Body on Me" collaborators rekindling their romance, Nelly revealed in a September 2023 interview that he and the "Foolish" singer were giving things another go. He said on the Philo show "Boss Moves with Rasheeda" that he and Ashanti were "cool again."
For her part, Ashanti made their relationship red carpet official at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in September by accessorizing her look with a clutch that had a photo of the couple printed on it.
Never in a million years did I think we would be here," she told ET. "Ten years ago, maybe yes, but after our breakup, you know, I didn't even think we'd ever have a conversation again.