Nelly Seemingly Confirms Rekindled Relationship w/ Ashanti: ‘I Think It Surprised Both Of Us’

Nelly, Ashanti

Nelly Seemingly Confirms Rekindled Relationship w/ Ashanti: ‘I Think It Surprised Both Of Us’

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder!

That certainly seems to be true for musicians Nelly and Ashanti, as the rapper seemingly confirmed that they are giving their relationship another go.

Ashanti, Nelly (2012)

Nelly spoke about his romance with his former ex while visiting reality TV star/rapper Rasheeda Frost’s talk series “Boss Moves with Rasheeda.” After the “Love & Hip Hop” star directly asked if the two were back together, Nelly, real name Cornell Haynes, blushed uncontrollably and said:

“Yeah, we cool again,”

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The 48-year-old smiled and continued:

“I think it surprised both of us though. It wasn’t anything that I don’t think was planned.”

Rumors that Nelly and Ashanti, 42, may have rekindled their relationship gained traction back in December of last year. Fans noticed the pair’s undeniable chemistry during an appearance they had performing Nelly’s 2009 single “Body On Me,” which Ashanti is featured on.

However, initially following the performance, the songstress was very coy when asked about their situation and the fanfare that came along with it. In a subsequent interview, she stated:

“I mean my reaction was ‘wow,’ you know? It was a lot of comments and a lot of people wanting that….What I will say is we’re in a better place, you know? ‘Cause before it was like [displays signs of anger.] You know, we’re cool now.”

Though she did make it a point not to directly answer whether or not she’d consider getting back with the rapper, Ashanti was pretty hush with any further details.

In the months following, the couple was spotted several times together, further fueling romance rumors. They also began making appearances on each other’s social media pages, singing Usher’s “Nice & Slow” in one video and taking a flight together in another.

Nelly and Ashanti’s relationship dates back to 2003 when the pair first met. Though it was obvious that had a deep love for one another, engaging in an on-and-off situation for the next decade, they eventually called it quits, seemingly for good in 2013. Nelly went on to enter a relationship with model Shantell Jackson in 2014. However, after years together, they split in 2021.

In more recent interviews, both Nelly and Ashanti explained that timing and maturity on both their parts seemed to have prevented things from working out for them in the past.

The “Hot In Here” artist further elaborated on that very notion during his recent interview with Rasheeda, explaining that distance gave them time to really understand each other’s perspective. He stated:

“I think we both were pretty much doing what we do, but sometimes being separate you understand one another more. You be like, ‘Yo, let me see exactly what they see.’ You know, because we all can be defensive sometimes in our own relationships. We know we wrong but we going to stand on it. But we all a victim to that.” 

Ashanti, Nelly

Continuing, the rap star went on to share that their relationship “feels good” now as the pressure isn’t the same as when they first started dating. He added:

“Before I felt like both of us were doing what we were doing before career-wise, and when you got so many people in the middle of it, it can be tough.”

It doesn’t seem that Ashanti has reacted to Nelly’s big reveal at this time. However, it’s safe to say that fans are rooting for their re-sparked romance to last.

What do you think about Nelly & Ashanti’s relationship? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below!