Ashanti & Nelly Aren’t Just Expecting Their First Child—They’re Already Married

Ashanti and Nelly have been hiding a secret for the past six months—and no, not the baby. According to public records, the couple tied the knot six months ago on December 27, 2023. The paperwork states the marriage became official in St. Louis County, so it’s safe to conclude the ceremony took place in Nelly’s hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.

Known for their on-again, off-again relationship that began in the early 2000s, Ashanti and Nelly shocked fans with the news of their quiet nuptials. The couple initially dated for nearly a decade before parting ways in 2014 and rekindled their romance last year.

After months of speculation from her fans, Ashanti confirmed she was pregnant in April with an Instagram video. At the same time, she announced Nelly had popped the question.

“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” she said in a statement to ESSENCE. “Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”

.Since then, Ashanti has been vocal about her pregnancy and journey into motherhood. Last month, she shared photos of her baby bump for Mother’s Day.

“This Mother’s Day was so special,” she wrote in the caption. “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/ Pre Mothers Day!!!!! grateful yeah yeah I know I’m late… it was so much food I got distracted. Ps… I only had 1 plate tho.”

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Ashanti also opened up about the proposal. As she told ET Online, “It was just such a beautiful, intimate moment. We were not dressy. “The way it happened was so funny. It’s not really sexy.”  Even so, she said the proposal brought her to tears, and she “FaceTimed everyone I know,” after giving Nelly “the biggest hug and kiss ever.”

Although they’re married on paper, the couple is reportedly planning to tie the knot in a beach ceremony sometime soon.