R&B Singer Ashanti and Nelly’s Relationship History Explained After Video Of Couple Performing Goes Viral

Ashanti and Nelly are one of hip-hop & R&B’s most enduring couples. Despite only being together a short amount of time, the two have been synonymous with one another ever since, and fans have been hoping the see the duo get back together. While they’ve alluded to a rough ending over the years, recent weeks have seen them popping up together at shows and “rekindling their flame” Let’s take a look at their history and see if these two could potentially have a new future on the horizon.

Nelly and Ashanti putting that old chemistry to use performing their track “Body On Me” last night

(Via: @mhorta33/IG) pic.twitter.com/OoUXpaO0P4

— Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) December 5, 2022

Nelly and Ashanti were massive stars of the early ’00s pop era. Nelly was a crossover success jumping from hip-hop to pop thanks to his handsome looks, infectious production, and sing/song hooks. Ashanti had much of the same success, helping the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Ja Rule, and Fat Joe score massive hits before becoming a star in her own right. Nelly and Ashanti met at the 2003 Grammy, where the “Country Grammar” hitmaker asked her for her autograph. Ashanti says it took her a while after that to give him her number but eventually, she did and the two dated quietly for over a decade.

We recently found out that prior to them meeting, Ashanti was in a relationship with Irv Gotti but blew him off to get with Nelly. He was shocked to find out they were dating while watching a basketball game and seeing them seated in the stands. Irv began to distance himself from Ashanti and even threatened to harm Nelly if they continued dating.

Nelly and Ashanti split in 2014, with Ashanti alluding to a bitter breakup. She said she had been “betrayed” in the split and spoke about insecurities during a 2015 interview with Meredith Viera. “I think sometimes when people have their own insecurities, it allows them to act out of character,” she recalled. She went on to call him a coward. She kept this energy for years, even replying “word!” to a fan who yelled “f*** Nelly” at a 2018 concert. She’s kept a pretty low dating profile in the years since but has hinted towards having a man in her life in different interviews.

Body on me – Nelly & Ashanti yesterday live in Ontario Ca.
😍🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/R0vBBBveyT

— torrrrr✨ (@tor2gee) August 7, 2022

For Nelly, he went right on into the next relationship and began dating Shantel Jackson in 2014. The pair seemed very happy and remained together for six years. Rumors that they planned to get married were put to rest in 2021 when they announced they’d split. Shantel told followers on Instagram that they were just friends now.

Both back on the market, Ashanti and Nelly ran into each other at the Fat Joe & Ja Rule Verzuz and seemed to have gotten back on good terms. They started popping up at shows together after this sharing the stage for their singles “Body On Me” and “Good Good.” They’ve even poked fun at Irv Gotti, joking about buy basketball tickets at one stop following his recent rants about the pair. When discussing if she and Nelly would be going all the way with their reunion like Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Ashanti admitted on Watch What Happens Live that they are on good terms and admits they are “cool now” after being at odds for a while.

“We’re in a better place, we had some conversations, so its cool,” she told Andy. When asked if they’re getting back together Ashanti stumbled on her words and said I don’t know. Her and Nelly definitely seemed cool again as she grinded on him while on stage.

Last month, Ashanti was a guest on Bevy Smith’s Bevelations where she discussed her and Nelly’s relationship in more details after being pressed on the matter. When asked if there’s a possibility of her giving Nelly a second chance the singer revealed they are having a lot of ‘ongoing conversations’ and she’s learning things she did not know. She wrapped up her response stating she’s not 100% sure, but she believes “what is meant to be will be.” Check out the interview above.