Ashanti is embracing motherhood and already thinking about adding another baby to the mix!
The R&B icon and her longtime love, Nelly, welcomed their first child together, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, in July 2024. The couple shared their joy with fans through an intimate Instagram post, where Ashanti gave a raw and real glimpse into her postpartum journey.
“Funny how life’s plans aren’t… always on time.. lol,” Ashanti wrote, adding that while she had long dreamed of becoming a mother, nothing could have prepared her for the experience.
Now, the Foolish singer has revealed that she’s open to expanding their family once more—this time, she’s hoping for a baby girl.
“We’re going to add some more,” she said in her interview with E News, adding that she wouldn’t mind having a girl next. “Definitely a girl to balance it out. I’m outnumbered in the house right now. So, a girl would be great.”
As she soaks in every moment of motherhood, Ashanti continues to express gratitude for this new chapter with Nelly, whom she married in December 2023.
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A Love Story Decades in the Making
Ashanti and Nelly’s journey is nothing short of a modern-day R&B fairy tale. The two first started dating back in 2003 but called it quits in 2013. After spending ten years apart, they shocked fans when they rekindled their romance in September 2023.
And just a few months later, Nelly popped the question in a way Ashanti never expected.
“It was such a beautiful, intimate moment at home. I was wearing one of his T-shirts and his boxers—I had no idea it was coming!” she said.
Shortly after, the two tied the knot in a low-key wedding ceremony before welcoming their baby boy in July 2024.
Nelly, for his part, has been in awe of Ashanti’s transition into motherhood.
“She’s an awesome mom, to watch someone care about someone else so much and give their all and is willing to give their all,” Nelly said. “Like she said, sometimes it can be too far but you would way prefer to have a parent that goes too far than a parent that doesn’t go far enough.”
As their love story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: this couple is stronger than ever.
The Possibility of Baby No. 2
With baby Kareem now seven months old, it’s no surprise that fans are wondering whether baby number two is on the horizon. While Ashanti has yet to confirm any plans, she’s made it clear that she would love a little girl to round out their growing family.
Given how private Ashanti and Nelly were about their first pregnancy—keeping it under wraps until the later months—it wouldn’t be shocking if another baby announcement came out of nowhere.
For now, the couple is simply enjoying life as new parents and soaking in every milestone with their baby boy.