Ashanti Reveals How Nelly Proposed to Her: ‘The Way It Happened Was Just so Funny’

Ashanti revealed earlier this year that she and Nelly were engaged, but now she’s opening up about how the “Ride Wit Me” artist orchestrated the low-key proposal.

Nelly surprised Ashanti when he got down on one knee with a ring as they were just hanging out in their bedroom. The St. Louis native kept it casual and caught Ashanti off-guard with the at-home proposal.

Ashanti admitted to Entertainment Tonight on Tuesday (June 18) that she was just wearing a pair of Nelly’s boxers and one of his T-shirts during the intimate moment.

“It was just such a beautiful, intimate moment. We were not dressy. I definitely had on one of his T-shirts and his boxers. I had no idea. Completely,” she said. “I felt like it was gonna come soon, I didn’t know when. The way that it happened was just so funny.

The “Foolish” singer continued: “I’m sitting in the bed watching TV with boxers on — it’s not literally sexy! I cried, I gave him the biggest hug and kiss ever, I FaceTimed everyone I know… I was overjoyed and shocked and surprised and happy kinda like all in one.”

Ashanti and Nelly are also expecting their first bundle of joy together later this year. It will be the “Always on Time” artist’s first child and Nelly’s fifth.

The former Murder Inc. staple has an idea for the month she wants to get married, but stopped short of disclosing it. However, she plans to not be pregnant and wants to give birth before tying the knot. “I think it’s gonna be a combination of fashion, glam, Caribbean vibes. Like I have to have like a beach, an ocean, sunshine and palm trees,” she said of how she envisions the big day.

Nelly and Ashanti began dating in 2003 and were together on-and-off before splitting for what they thought was for good in 2013. The couple rekindled their romance after being spotted together for several public outings a decade later in 2023 and will welcome a child later this year.

“The growth has been like superb, you know, like on both ends,” she explained when it comes to the maturity between her and Nelly this time around. “We are both at a place where like before, sometimes we would argue and walk out, slam the door, and not talk for a few days.”

Watch Ashanti’s interview detailing the proposal, pregnancy and her upcoming wedding below.