Yes, that’s correct—two of the biggest stars of the millennial music scene are expecting their first child together! Apparently, Ashanti and Nelly rekindled their romance earlier this year after initially dating in 2003. Now they’re going to be parents together!
“Nelly and Ashanti are welcoming their first baby together,” Us Weekly reports. The baby will be Ashanti’s only child, while Nelly, 49, shares daughter Chanelle, 29, and son Cornell Haynes III, 24, from a previous relationship.
Ashanti, 43, attended Nelly’s Black and White Ball in St. Louis. During the event, the “Only U” singer put her hand on her stomach and Nelly did, too. According to a fan video shared by TMZ, the couple joked (but that thing where you’re not really joking) about expanding their family.
The couple hard-launched back in October by making things Instagram official for Ashanti’s birthday.
“One time for the birthday girl,” he captioned a slideshow of photos showing himself and Ashanti smiling. “Such a beautiful, an incredible person inside and out and one of the hardest working women. I know.. @ashanti Enjoy your day Ma you look awesome!!!! Happy Birthday Love ya!!!!”
If you’re trying to remember if these two made a song together, you’re probably thinking of Ashanti and Ja Rule (can I get a shoutout for “Always On Time” from the class of ’03, please). But she and Nelly did collab on “Body On Me” in 2008.
Anyway, congratulations to these two adorable people for bringing us elder millennials on a nice stroll down memory lane. Now if Jessica and Nick get back together, someone’s going to need to grab me some smelling salts.