Ashanti is opening up about the unique way she shared her pregnancy news with Nelly, despite the fact that the soon-to-be dad might have already had a hunch.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Ashanti, 43, recounted how Nelly’s enthusiastic belly rub during their December 2023 performance led to widespread speculation about her pregnancy. The moment occurred at the Black and White Ball in St. Louis when Nelly, 49, affectionately rubbed Ashanti’s stomach on stage. At that time, however, Ashanti wasn’t aware she was pregnant.
“When he blurted that out on stage, we actually did not know. I hadn’t even taken a test at that time,” Ashanti explained. The singer clarified that she was merely adjusting a pendant on her dress when Nelly’s gesture created an unintended buzz. “I was pushing it down and he’s like, making it look like something. And I’m like, ‘No!’” she joked.
It wasn’t until she missed a period that Ashanti suspected she might be expecting. Excited and unable to wait, she broke the news to Nelly via FaceTime. “I couldn’t wait, [I] had to get it out,” she said. Nelly’s reaction was unsurprising; he responded with, “Oh I knew,” and the couple shared a joyful moment. Ashanti fondly recalled, “He was so happy and we were both smiling and it was so funny.”
The happy couple’s families celebrated together on Mother’s Day, as Ashanti shared heartfelt photos on Instagram. The post showed Ashanti with her growing bump beside Nelly, captioning it: “This Mother’s Day was so special. Having our families together as we are about to embark on such an incredible journey was amazing.”
In April, Ashanti and Nelly publicly announced their pregnancy in a charming video on Instagram. The clip showed Ashanti preparing for a performance when her mother asked how much time she needed. Ashanti’s cheeky reply, “Uh, I’m gonna need about nine months,” was met with surprise, confirming the couple’s exciting news.
Ashanti’s candid recount of their pregnancy journey highlights a blend of humor, love, and anticipation as they prepare to welcome their first child together.
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