Ashanti is engaged to Nelly, announces pregnancy seven years after rapper’s release from prison

Nelly was arrested in 2017 in Washington state over an accusation that he assaulted a woman on his tour bus.

Singer and actress Ashanti has disclosed that she is engaged and expecting a baby with rapper Nelly, known for hits like "Just a Dream." 

The announcement, via social media, comes seven years after Nelly faced legal issues involving a rape allegation.

The allegations

According to NPR, Nelly was arrested in 2017 in Washington state over an accusation that he raped a woman on his tour bus. The woman, later identified as 21-year-old Monique Greene, was one of two women who made allegations against the rapper. 

The second woman, who remained anonymous, claimed that Nelly had behaved inappropriately towards her in his dressing room.

Both lawsuits were settled out of court, and charges against Nelly were dropped in 2017 when Greene decided not to testify.

Nelly (pictured center) was arrested in 2017 when he was on tour with the Musical duo, Florida Georgia Line (pictured left and right). (Image: Billboard)

Nelly and Ashanti's announcement

Ashanti revealed her pregnancy in an Instagram video, where she jokingly said she needed "about nine months" to get ready for a performance, hinting at her pregnancy. She captioned the post "Baby baby baby baby...." Nelly also shared the video on his own Instagram.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ashanti (@ashanti)

According to Billboard, the couple's relationship had been somewhat secretive since they began dating in 2003, and they broke up in 2013. However, they reunited in 2023, which Nelly confirmed after they were seen together at events.

Ashanti (pictured) was also spotted carrying a clutch bag with her and Nelly’s face on it at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. (Image: Getty Images)