Nelly & Ashanti Are Engaged, Expecting First Child Together

Nelly, 49, and Ashanti, 43, are getting married and starting a family!

Ashanti shared the happy news with Essence, using “fiancé” to describe her beau.

"This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation," she said.

"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."

She also shared the baby news on Instagram. In the video, Ashanti is getting ready to take the stage. When her mom Tina Douglas asks how much time she needs, the singer replies, "Uh, I'm gonna need about nine months.”

Ashanti wrote in the caption, “Baby baby baby baby…. ❤️🙏🏽😆”

She also showed off her growing baby bump in a tight blue dress on her Instagram Stories.

The couple had everyone talking in December after the mom-to-be attended Nelly’s Black and White Ball in St. Louis. TMZ posted a fan video of the couple onstage as Ashanti placed her hand on her belly, and Nelly did the same. The moment left the audience wondering if they were hinting at a pregnancy.

Afterward, a source told Us Weekly, “Nelly and Ashanti are welcoming their first baby together.”

The baby will be Ashanti’s first child and Nelly’s third. He’s already the father of daughter Chanelle, 29, and son Cornell, 24, with ex Channetta Valentine.

Starting a family together is a big step for the pair, who just reconciled last year. They dated on and off from 2003 to 2013, and then got back together after a 10-year break.

They started sparking romance rumors in April. He confirmed they were back together in September.

Nelly told Philo TV’s “Boss Moves with Rasheeda,” “Yeah, we cool again,” adding that the romance “surprised both of us.”