Ashanti and Nelly are engaged and expecting a baby

CNN
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Congratulations are to ensure that singer Ashanti and rapper Nelly.

The reunited couple have gone public with each a being pregnant and their engagement. They shared the information solely with Essence journal, which posted an announcement Wednesday on social media.

“This new yr of my life is such a blessing full of affection, hope, and anticipation,” Ashanti, 43, mentioned in a press release to the publication. “Motherhood is one thing that I’ve appeared ahead to, and sharing this with my household, fiancé, and dependable followers, who’ve been so supportive of my profession, is a tremendous expertise.”

Ashanti had some enjoyable with the information on her personal verified Instagram account, with a video wherein she’s seen making ready for a efficiency.

When her mom and supervisor Tina Y. Douglas asks her how a lot time she’s going to wish within the clip, Ashanti quips, “I’m gonna want about 9 months” as he mom gasps and the display screen goes to a emblem for Proov, an at-home fertility and hormone marker take a look at.

In a press release to CNN, the singer mentioned, “As you understand, I’m so shut with my mother and pop, so I’m wanting ahead to being a tremendous mother or father to our clild, like they had been to me and my sister. Nelly and I are so excited to welcome and love on Child Haynes.” (Nelly’s actual identify is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.)

Ashanti and Nelly, 49, confirmed in September that they had been reunited as a pair, 20 years after they had been first linked collectively in a relationship that ended after a decade.

Ashanti attended the MTV VMA Awards round that point, the place Nelly was a scheduled performer. She carried a clutch with a photograph of her and Nelly from after they attended the awards ceremony collectively again in 2003.

Throughout an interview with E! Information on the occasion, Ashanti mentioned she thought the bag was “cute” and was requested if she and the “Sizzling in Right here” star had been in a relationship once more.

After some laughing, she responded coyly with, “I imply…yeah.”

Nelly additionally got here clear throughout an look with “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” stars Rasheeda and Kirk Frost on her “Boss Strikes with Rasheeda” present final fall.

“We cool once more,” Nelly mentioned. “I believe it stunned each of us. It wasn’t something that was deliberate.”

CNN has reached out to representatives for Nelly for extra remark.