Nelly And Ashanti: 7 Shocking Secrets Revealed About Their Marriage, Baby, And New Reality Show

The iconic R&B and Hip-Hop love story of Nelly and Ashanti has taken a dramatic, permanent turn, culminating in a secret wedding and the birth of their first child together. After a decade-long separation, the power couple stunned the music world by not only rekindling their romance but also quietly tying the knot in late 2023, a detail that remained hidden from the public for months. As of late 2025, the couple is now celebrating their first year of marriage, raising their son, and sharing their entire journey on a new reality television series, proving that sometimes, a second chance is all it takes for a true love story to finally find its ending.

The latest updates, confirmed throughout 2024 and 2025, show a completely new chapter for the Grammy-winning artists. From a surprise wedding date to the intimate details of their new family life, the saga of the "Hot in Herre" rapper and the "Foolish" singer is currently being documented in a fresh, candid way, giving fans an unprecedented look into their blended family and life as spouses and new parents.

Ashanti and Nelly: Complete Biography and Profile

The relationship between Nelly and Ashanti is one of the most enduring and fascinating in modern music history, spanning over two decades. Before their recent life updates, both artists built formidable careers as solo stars.

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• Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas (Ashanti)
  • Born: October 13, 1980, in Glen Cove, New York.
  • Age (as of December 2025): 45 years old.
  • Career Highlights: Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress. Rose to fame in the early 2000s under Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. label. Her debut album, *Ashanti* (2002), earned her a Grammy. Key singles include "Foolish," "Baby," and collaborations like "What's Luv?" and "Always on Time."
  • Parents: Tina Douglas (mother, former dance teacher) and Ken-Kaide Douglas (father).
• Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. (Nelly)
  • Born: November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas.
  • Age (as of December 2025): 51 years old.
  • Career Highlights: American rapper, singer, and actor, known as the St. Louis rapper. Debut album *Country Grammar* (2000) was certified Diamond. Key singles include "Hot in Herre," "Dilemma," and "E.I." He is one of the best-selling rap artists of all time.
  • Children (from previous relationships): Cornell Haynes III (Tre) and Chanelle Haynes (Nana), who were adopted by Nelly.

The Full Timeline of Nelly and Ashanti's Rekindled Romance and Secret Wedding

The love story of Nelly and Ashanti is best described as a tale of two eras, separated by a decade of silence and speculation. Their journey from a high-profile, private couple to a married family unit is one of the biggest celebrity comebacks in recent memory.

The First Chapter: 2003–2013

The couple first met in 2003 at a Grammy Awards press conference, immediately sparking a relationship that would last for ten years. Despite their relationship being an open secret in the industry, they famously kept the details private, rarely confirming their status to the press. They broke up in 2013, citing different paths and challenges, leading to a period where, as they later revealed on their reality show, they "hated" each other.

The Reunion: 2022–2023

The first public sign of a reconciliation came in 2022 when they were seen together at the *Verzuz* battle between Fat Joe and Ja Rule, where they exchanged a noticeable hug. This led to months of speculation, which they finally confirmed in September 2023, revealing they were officially back together.

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The Secret Marriage and Pregnancy Announcement: 2023–2024

In a shock to fans, the couple did not just get back together—they committed fully. According to public records confirmed in June 2024, Nelly and Ashanti quietly tied the knot on December 27, 2023. Nelly later explained his decision, stating he "didn't want to make Ashanti a 'baby mama'" and wanted to make her his wife before having a child.

The engagement and pregnancy news were simultaneously announced in April 2024 via *Essence* magazine.

Inside Their New Life: Baby KK and the Reality Show

The biggest update in the couple’s life is the welcoming of their first child together and the decision to finally share their private world with the public through a new reality series.

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The Birth of Kareem Kenkaide Haynes

Ashanti and Nelly welcomed their son, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, affectionately nicknamed KK, on July 18, 2024. The birth came shortly after their marriage was confirmed, completing their new family unit. As of December 2025, KK is over a year old, and his parents have been candid about the joy of parenthood.

Their son's first birthday in July 2025 was a major event, with Nelly and Ashanti throwing a lavish, Kunda and Friends-themed party. Nelly has also been seen joking about Ashanti’s photoshoots with the baby, showing a playful and grounded side of their relationship.

Peacock's Reality Series: *Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together*

To chronicle their incredible journey, the couple launched a new reality series on Peacock called *Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together*. The show premiered in June 2024 and gives fans a front-row seat to their life as a married couple, new parents, and blended family, as Nelly has children from previous relationships.

The series features the glamorous aspects of their life, such as throwing blowout birthday bashes and working on their careers, but also the challenges of blending families and learning to compromise after a long separation. One key marriage rule they have shared is the importance of communication and making time for each other, which they credit for keeping their rekindled romance strong.

The show's title, *We Belong Together*, is a clear nod to their enduring connection, which survived a decade-long breakup and came back stronger than ever, fulfilling the curiosity of fans who always hoped the two music legends would end up together.