Ashanti Expects First Child @43
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas, an American singer, songwriter and actress is currently enmeshed in the ocean of joy over the expectation of her first biological child at 43.
The hip hop Grammy-winning singer has disclosed her expecting her first child with longtime love, Cornell Iral Haynes better known as Nelly, who is officially her fiancé.
Nelly, 49, an American rapper, singer, and actor grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and embarked on his musical career in 1993 as a member of the Midwest hip hop group St. Lunatics.
Said Ashanti: “This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” she says. “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.”
However, information has it that this will be Ashanti’s first child and Nelly’s fifth.
Nelly has a daughter, Chanelle, a son, Cornell Jr., and adopted Shawn and Sydney Thomas, the two children of his sister, Jackie Donahue, after she died of leukemia in 2005.
The couple reunited in 2023, with the “Country Grammar” rapper confirming the news after the two were seen attending events together and performing in a flirtatious way and following Ashanti carrying a clutch bag with her and Nelly’s face on it last year’s Grammy Awards.
The romance reportedly began in 2003, during the early stages of their music careers.
Ashanti says things are much lighter now that they’re older and doing love differently.
“Yeah, we cool again,” he said during an interview last fall with Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta stars Kirk and Rasheeda Frost. “I think it surprised both of us, though. It wasn’t anything that was planned. I think we’re both pretty much doing what we do.”