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, stated 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 an incredible expertise.”

Ashanti had some enjoyable with the information on her personal verified Instagram account, with a video wherein she’s seen getting 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 goes to a brand for Proov, an at-home fertility and hormone marker take a look at.

In a press release to CNN, the singer stated, “As you already know, I’m so shut with my mother and pa, so I’m wanting ahead to being an incredible father or mother to our clild, like they have been to me and my sister. Nelly and I are so excited to welcome and love on Child Haynes.” (Nelly’s actual title is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.)

Ashanti and Nelly, 49, confirmed in September that they have been reunited as a pair, 20 years after they have 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 stated she thought the bag was “cute” and was requested if she and the “Scorching in Right here” star have 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 stated. “I feel it stunned each of us. It wasn’t something that was deliberate.”

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