Ashanti and Nelly Celebrate Wedding Anniversary with Hundreds of Roses

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Nelly and Ashanti are ready to rock wit each other for all time. 

For their second wedding anniversary, Nelly (born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.) showed Ashanti just how much he cared by filling their home with beautiful pink and red flowers.

Ashanti received a beautiful surprise on December 28th when she stepped out of a room to find a hallway filled with pink roses and candles. Her boyfriend, Nelly, had decorated for their anniversary, placing bouquets of red roses and even a rose-filled bucket with a “Happy anniversary” message. He also created a heart-shaped arrangement of roses at the front of their walkway that read “Mrs. Haynes.”

The hallway was decorated with rose petals, and pink heart-shaped balloons drifted among the lit candles. Ashanti was so surprised and delighted by the scene that she gasped and covered her mouth, then beamed as she looked around.

Nelly, 51, and his wife shared a tender moment in the hallway, hugging and swaying to the music. He then playfully showered her with rose petals.

Okay, so Ashanti finally gave us a peek at how she and Nelly celebrated their anniversary, and honestly, I’m living for it! She basically told everyone they spent the entire day just soaking it all in, and then – get this – she added the cutest little message about the ‘night’ with a devil emoji and a bunch of laughing faces! Seriously, they are too cute, and I’m officially obsessed with their happiness!

“12/27/25,” the 45-year-old added in her caption. “I love you babe!!!”

The couple, who first dated for ten years before getting back together and marrying in 2023, now enjoy life with their 16-month-old son, Kareem Kendaide “KK” Haynes, when they aren’t busy celebrating their marriage.

Ashanti shared with TopMob News in February that her son is developing quickly. She said he’s now clapping and very observant. He especially loves video chatting, excitedly bringing his face close to the phone and laughing. He’s also starting to stand up in his crib, holding on and clearly feeling proud of himself.

I’ve been following Nelly and Ashanti, and it’s so heartwarming to see how supportive they are of each other! He’s a dad to four grown kids already, and they both genuinely seem thrilled to celebrate all of life’s good moments together. It’s really lovely to witness.

“We clap for him,” she added. “It’s like the best.”

The singer shared that she and her husband definitely want to have more children. She described the experience of becoming a mother as wonderful, saying it’s made her life significantly better and she feels grateful and blessed.

For more on the way that Nelly and Ashanti love each other, read on. 

Nelly and Ashanti first met at the Grammy nominations announcement in 2003. Ashanti later shared on VH1’s Behind the Music that Nelly jokingly asked for her autograph when they were introduced, and she ended up signing the event program. That photo has circulated widely, often with a different story. Despite the playful start, a romantic relationship didn’t begin immediately – Ashanti revealed it took Nelly quite a while to get her phone number.

In the years that followed, Pharrell Williams and Nelly were frequently seen together at events, even celebrating each other’s birthdays. Although Ashanti later told People magazine that she and Nelly did date, she emphasized they weren’t in a serious, committed relationship.

Despite the denials, the pair continued to fuel dating speculation by appearing together at public events like basketball games, parties, and red carpets, including the premiere of Ashanti’s film, John Tucker Must Die, in 2006.

Despite the popularity of their 2008 song “Body On Me,” Ashanti maintained that her relationship with Nelly was purely friendly. She told People magazine that they were simply good friends who enjoyed spending time together, and that having fun with friends helped navigate the challenges of the music industry. When asked about wedding rumors, Ashanti firmly denied being engaged, but playfully suggested it might happen someday.

Rumors of a breakup between Nelly and Ashanti surfaced in 2009. In a 2010 interview with VladTV, Nelly explained they remained friendly. He said he was focused on his album, ‘5.0,’ while Ashanti was concentrating on her own music, and that their relationship had always been a media creation. He playfully avoided directly confirming they’d ever been officially together, stating that talking about a ‘split’ implied they had been a couple to begin with, something they’d never publicly acknowledged.

Soon after, Ashanti and Nelly were seen together once more. This photo shows them at the 2012 Angel Ball.

In 2013, rumors began circulating about a split between Ashanti and Nelly. Ashanti hinted at the distance between them during an interview on Hot 97, explaining they were both concentrating on their individual careers and that some previously private issues had become public. She released her album, Braveheart, in 2014 and continued, stating they were in a difficult place and that things had been said and done that shouldn’t have been. She officially confirmed their breakup in 2015.

During an appearance on The Meredith Vieira Show, Ashanti explained that insecurities can cause people to act differently. She revealed she had been hurt and emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and personal growth. She also expressed her dislike for dishonesty and stated she was focused on moving forward and knowing what she wanted in life.

In 2021, Ashanti and Nelly joined Jermaine Dupri, Papoose, Ma, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, and Lil’ Mo for the VERZUZ: Fat Joe Vs Ja Rule battle. The following year, they performed together once more. Later, Ashanti, known for her role in John Tucker Must Die, shared her thoughts on second chances.

During an interview with Bevy Smith on Bevelations, she explained, “I think people change, grow, and learn from their mistakes—though not everyone does. You have to go through something that truly makes you evolve.”

She added, “You just have to wait and see what happens. I never would have imagined a few years ago that I’d be performing with Nelly on stage.”

Ashanti and Nelly confirmed in 2023 that they were dating again, and Nelly admitted they hadn’t expected it. Speaking on the show Boss Moves With Rasheeda, he said they were on good terms and that getting back together was a surprise for both of them. He explained that they weren’t actively trying to reconcile, but spending time apart actually helped them appreciate each other more.

Ashanti revealed she’s engaged to Nelly and they’re expecting a baby. She told Essence magazine that this is a wonderful new chapter filled with love and excitement, and that she’s always dreamed of becoming a mother. She’s thrilled to share the news with her family, fiancé, and fans who have supported her throughout her career.

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2025-12-29 17:48