Power couple Nelly and Ashanti are still ‘trying to figure things out’ as they balance their relationship with their busy music careers.
The music icons dated throughout the noughties before going their separate ways following 10 years together.
Alas, the spark never completely faded – and the duo rekindled their relationship in 2023, got married, and welcomed their first child together.
Now even further along in their careers, Nelly, 51, has revealed how he is still trying to find the right balance with his ‘best friend’, 45, as he discussed the upcoming second season of their reality show, Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together.
‘It’s just a [continuous] look at our life and how we’re getting a chance to come together,’ he told The Daily Mail at Sports Illustrated Beyond the Pitch Presented by Lenovo on Friday.
‘We’re still trying to figure things out, man. You know, it came together so fast, but I mean, we’re enjoying it, obviously,’ he continued.
Power couple Nelly and Ashanti are still ‘trying to figure things out’ as they balance their busy music careers with their new lives as a married couple
When asked for clarification on what they were figuring out, he replied: ‘Figuring out just life.’
‘She’s still extremely busy. I’m extremely busy, and that’s a good thing, because, talking 20 plus years for both of us, in the entertainment business. So, you know, you’re very thankful for that.
‘So, hopefully things continue to grow. I know we’re enjoying and having fun figuring it out. That’s my best friend and that’s my love,’ he said.
The Sports Illustrated event, which was held at the Hollywood Palladium and saw Nelly perform, was held in celebration of the World Cup.
As far as Nelly and Ashanti, however, their household is focused on reveling in the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals win.
‘I’m probably an honorary Knick at this point to a certain degree because of my wife. She’s rooting for New York and I’m hoping for a happy house,’ he told The Daily Mail.
Nelly and Ashanti’s relationship timeline dates back to 2003, when they first started dating.
The musical duo first crossed paths at a Grammy Awards press conference in January 2003 where nominees were announced.
In a VH1 Behind The Music special, Ashanti revealed Nelly playfully asked for her autograph when they met.
Nelly spoke with The Daily Mail at Sports Illustrated Beyond the Pitch Presented by Lenovo on Friday
The couple dated throughout the noughties before splitting up and eventually finding their way back to one another; pictured 2008
They now have a show chronicling their relationship, Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together
The Peacock show has been renewed for a second season
‘I think he was being sarcastic,’ she recalled, ‘and I remember writing it down on the program.
‘That picture has been in so many publications as something else, but it all started out as a joke. For the record, it took him a long time to get my number.’
For years, the couple remained vague about the status of their relationship until Ashanti seemingly revealed their split.
In March 2015, Ashanti seemed to finally confirm that there had been a relationship between her and Nelly, but only in confirming that the pair had broken up.
She told The Meredith Vieira Show: ‘I’ve been betrayed. You just have to grow. You have to grow up. You have to accept responsibility for the things that you do. I’m not a big fan of people being cowards.’
The event, held at the Hollywood Palladium, saw Nelly wow guests with a performance
The musical power couple welcomed their son Kareem Kenkaide Hayes in July 2024
Unexpectedly, the pair reconciled in 2023.
The Grammy winners seen holding hands at a boxing match between Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Ryan Garcia that April and Ashanti brought her ex out at her Los Angeles show to give a rendition of Body On Me.
A month later they stepped out together at an event in Atlanta – their first red carpet together in 11 years.
The couple’s rekindling was confirmed in September 2023 by Nelly during an interview with Love and Hip Hop stars Rasheeda and Kirk Frost.
They wed in December 2023 and welcomed their first child together, a son named Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, in July 2024.
Last year Nelly wished Ashanti a happy birthday with a heart-melting message about finding ‘home’ with her.
‘Happy Birthday to the most beautiful and amazing woman in this world.. Marrying you wasn’t just finding love — it was finding home. Love you mama @ashanti.’
They have been sharing their love story with the world on the Peacock show, Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together, which has been renewed for a second season.
