Ashanti and Nelly leave fans surprised as couple quietly married in 2023 before announcing pregnancy

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ashanti and Nelly, the couple who are soon going to be parents as they are expecting their first child together, reportedly tied the knot in December last year. 

On Wednesday, June 19, TMZ reported that the 43-year-old singer and her 49-year-old rapper boyfriend, who had announced their engagement in April, actually got married in December in St Louis County, Missouri.

Ashanti and Nelly were secretly married for 6 months  

Fans who believed the couple were engaged were shocked when reports claimed that Ashanti and Nelly have actually been married for 6 months now. Earlier this week, Ashanti spoke to Entertainment Tonight about the proposal and her ideas for a dream wedding.

Recalling the moment the rapper popped the question, Ashanti described it as a "beautiful, intimate moment" at home. She humorously mentioned that her outfit—a T-shirt of his and his boxers—clearly showed she wasn't expecting it at all.

"This Mother’s Day was so special,” Ashanti captioned the post. “Having our families together as we are about to embark on such an incredible journey was amazing. Wishing all of the amazing Moms and Moms to be a beautiful Mother’s Day...!!!! 😆😆😆😆❤️🙏🏽🥳 #grateful 🙏🏽🥰”

She added, “Yeah yeah I know I’m late… it was so much food I got distracted 🤣🤣 Ps… I only had 1 plate tho 🤣🤣👀"

After first starting dating in the early 2000s, the couple split up in 2013. They reunited in 2023 and announced their engagement almost a year later, along with the news of expecting their first child together.

"I think it surprised both of us," said the 'Hot in Herre' hitmaker during an episode of 'Boss Moves with Rasheeda,' streamed on Philo in September.

In an interview with Essence in April 2024, Ashanti emphasized the changes in her life, revealing that she and her partner were expecting their first child together.

"This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” she told the outlet. “Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to."

Fans happy to learn about Ashanti and Nelly's wedding 

Several social media users were surprised to know that the couple have been married. A user wrote on Youtube, "ashanti’s circle is SOLID. nobody said anything about their engagement. i pray that GOD blesses their union and baby." [sic]

Another user said, "Ashanti's genuine joy is infectious. I don't think Nelly has stopped smiling since they reunited. It's beautiful to witness these two's happiness."

A user said, "They both matured and realized that they truly loved each other and decided to get it right the second time around. God bless their union."

A user said, "All the 90s babies that grew up listening to both their music have had their RnB daydreams reignited... though shocked and happy at the same time." 

A user said, "She truly got the True Love Story."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.