Ashanti and Nelly couldn’t be more excited about the arrival of their first child together, as this is one of a couple of baby showers. Ashanti and Nelly are ecstatic to welcome their first child into the world, which they’ve lovingly referred to as “Baby Haynes” on social media. Moreover, they hosted yet another baby shower with friends and family, and it seemed like a luxurious, calm, and heartening affair with gorgeous maternity pictures on display and many beautiful amenities, including a three-layer jungle-themed cake for Baby Haynes. It’s all very wholesome and such, and apparently took place at Huntington, New York’s Oheka Castle event venue. Considering that they celebrated this pregnancy and soon-to-come birth multiple times now, we wouldn’t express shock if there’s another shower next week.
Jokes aside, at Ashanti and Nelly’s last baby shower, her father recalled how the rapper asked for his blessing to ask for her hand in marriage. “We had a discussion about him wanting to marry her,” Ken-Kaide Thomas Douglas stated. “We had a little brief conversation. For me, it’s very special for a man in this era to ask for someone’s hand [in marriage], especially your daughter’s. I was very impressed with the fact that you asked. I’m glad things worked out for you. God’s way will always happen best.”
However, all this celebration also has Ashanti looking back at the bumps in her and Nelly’s road, such as their 2014 split. “After our breakup, you know, I didn’t even think we’d ever have a conversation again,” she told Entertainment Tonight during a recent interview. According to the singer, their constant arguments and bickering resulted in them not talking to each other for days at a time, which became cyclical and tiring. Also, she spoke on what her ideal wedding ceremony would be, mentioning “a combination of fashion, glam, [and] Caribbean vibes.”
Meanwhile, this news arrives as the dynamic duo also celebrated a couple of months of legal marriage, so all that remains is this ceremony. We wonder whether or not Ashanti and Nelly plan to host this sometime this year or if they want to prioritize Baby Haynes instead. Either way, they have an arduous, long, but nonetheless exciting and heartwarming path ahead. Here’s to the couple, and here’s to more additional baby showers just because folks deserve to celebrate.
The excitement for Ashanti and Nelly’s first child was evident as the R&B and rap stars marked their upcoming arrival with a baby shower over the weekend, surrounded by family and friends. The event took place at Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York, as documented by MEFeater and Instagram user @mesan_alaijah, who seems to be related to the singer. Additional clips shared by @selenevoider over the weekend showed guests arriving at an estate adorned with posters from Ashanti’s recent maternity shoot. In a heartwarming video, Ashanti joyfully joined her loved ones to the tune of Nelly’s hit single “Ride Wit Me,” welcoming Baby Haynes with the caption, “Everybody welcome Baby Haynes…” Later, Ashanti was seen cutting a jungle-themed, three-tier cake labeled “Baby Haynes.” The final clip revealed that @selenevoider is Ashanti’s cousin.
Last month, Nelly hosted a private surprise baby shower for his wife at the Dolce & Gabbana children’s boutique in NYC. Guests included longtime friends Fat Joe and Breland. The couple announced their first pregnancy and engagement in April. They later tied the knot and secured their marriage license in St. Louis County, Nelly’s hometown.
Ashanti and Nelly are inching closer and closer to the arrival of their first child together, and to celebrate the anticipation, the couple hosted a baby shower full of family and friends over the weekend. According to footage captured by attendees, the event took place at Oheka Castle in Huntington, N.Y., featuring oversized photos from the R&B star’s maternity shoot in the entrance. In one video, the “Happy” singer can be seen making her grand entrance to Nelly’s “Ride With Me” while wearing a drapey white gown and her hair slicked back into a long ponytail. In more footage, Ashanti also cut a cake with “Baby Haynes” emblazed on it.
Just last month, Nelly hosted a private surprise baby shower for Ashanti at the Dolce & Gabbana children’s boutique in NYC, which her good friend Fat Joe attended. Following the memorable event, the Terror Squad boss took to his Instagram to share a picture of him and his wife with the couple, with the caption: “Today we had a baby shower. I love you, my sister. I’m sooooooo happy for [you] guys. GOD IS GREAT.”
In another video, Nelly took to the mic to share with attendees how Fat Joe is partially responsible for reconnecting him with his longtime beau. The two attended Fat Joe and Ja Rule’s Verzuz battle where Nelly could be seen giving Ashanti a hug, leaving many to say he wanted to re-spark their flame. However, at the time, Ashanti was dating someone else. Speaking of the encounter, in 2021 Nelly told XONecole, “It wasn’t just like that. I said what up to everybody bro. I said what up to everybody… I didn’t want no uncomfortable feeling, nothing like that, everybody was celebrating. I just said what up, it was all good I just said what up to everybody… But they didn’t catch that. They zoomed right in. But it was cool.”
The couple announced their first pregnancy and engagement in April of this year, and privately got married in St. Louis — Nelly’s hometown.
Ashanti and Nelly, one of the most adorable couples in the music industry, are turning heads and warming hearts with their exciting baby news. Their journey from a decade-long romance, a surprising split, to a heartwarming reunion, and now expecting their first baby together, is nothing short of a fairy tale. Let’s dive into their past, celebrate the present with this amazing surprise baby shower, and look forward to their bright future together as a family!
Once upon a time in the early 2000s, Ashanti and Nelly began a whirlwind romance that quickly became the talk of the town. They were the power couple everyone adored, lighting up red carpets and award shows with their undeniable chemistry. However, like many great love stories, theirs hit a few bumps along the way. After dating on and off for nearly a decade, they parted ways in 2013, leaving fans hopeful for a reunion.
Fast forward to September 2023, Ashanti walked the MTV Video Music Awards pink carpet solo but carried a piece of nostalgia—a purse featuring a photo of her and Nelly from 20 years ago. Not long after, Nelly confirmed they were back together, much to the delight of their loyal fans. He mentioned that their time apart helped them appreciate each other more, bringing them closer than ever before.
April 2024 brought the big news everyone had been eagerly waiting for. In a playful Instagram video, Ashanti announced she was pregnant, saying she’d need “about nine months” to get ready. The couple also revealed their engagement, adding more joy to their already exciting news.
Just this past weekend, Nelly threw Ashanti a surprise baby shower that was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by friends, family, and lots of love, Ashanti glowed with happiness, celebrating this new chapter of their lives. The baby shower was a perfect blend of fun, laughter, and heartfelt moments, showcasing the couple’s strong bond and the love that surrounds them.
As Ashanti and Nelly gear up to welcome their first child together, their future looks incredibly bright. Ashanti, at 43, expressed her excitement about becoming a mother, calling it a “blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation.” Nelly, already a father of two grown children and guardian to his late sister’s kids, brings a wealth of parenting experience and a heart full of love to this new journey.
Balancing their illustrious careers with the joys and responsibilities of parenthood will be an adventure for Ashanti and Nelly. Known for their dedication and hard work, they are likely to continue thriving in their professional lives while making their family a top priority. Whether it’s Ashanti dazzling on stage or Nelly dropping new hits, this dynamic duo is sure to keep us entertained and inspired.
Ashanti and Nelly’s story is more than just a celebrity romance; it’s a testament to enduring love, resilience, and the beauty of second chances. Their journey reminds us that love can withstand the test of time and that new beginnings can be incredibly sweet. They serve as role models, not just for their talent, but for their ability to navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and love.
As they prepare to welcome their little one, we can’t help but be excited for the future. Their story is a beautiful reminder that love, family, and togetherness are the greatest treasures of all. Here’s to Ashanti and Nelly, and the joyous adventure of parenthood that lies ahead. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this adorable couple and their growing family!
Source: Entertainment Tonight, Peoplemag, Access
