Ashanti recently confirmed her engagement to Nelly, and she has now revealed the heartwarming story of his proposal.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight that was shared on Tuesday (June 18), the singer reflected on the moment her partner popped the question.
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“It was just such a beautiful, intimate moment,” she said. “We were not dressy.”
Considering the pair were lying in bed and watching TV in T-shirts and boxers, she was rightfully “shocked” he picked that setting.
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The R&B icon added: “I cried. I gave him the biggest hug and kiss ever. I FaceTimed everyone I know … I was overjoyed and shocked and surprised and happy kind of like all in one.”
The couple got back together last year and are now expecting their first child together, which they revealed in conjunction with news of their engagement.
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“The growth has been like superb, you know, like on both ends,” she said about their chemistry today compared to when they dated in the early 2000s. “We are both at a place where like before, sometimes we would argue and walk out, slam the door, and not talk for a few days.”
During their time apart, Ashanti began seeing Joyner Lucas after the two teamed up for the latter’s “Fall Slowly” music video.
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During an interview with The Jason Lee Podcast that premiered in April, Lucas opened up about their relationship.
“She’s an amazing person,” he said about his former partner. “I’m a private n-gga. I don’t talk about it, but what I will say is that she’s an amazing person and [I’m] super happy for her. She’s about to have a baby. I know how much she wanted to be a mom.”
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The “I’m Not Racist” MC even revealed that the two discussed having kids of their own during their time together, though he wasn’t in the right place at the time to move forward it. Still, he maintains that he felt strongly about her through it all.
“I would say I loved her, for sure … She’s a very easy person to be in love with though. She’s dope, super dope person, bro. I’m not just saying that,” he added. “I knew that what she wanted and what she needed — I don’t feel like I could’ve fulfilled that at that time. ‘Shanti been in the game for 25 years; I just got in the game. I know what she wanted and what she needed.
“I don’t feel like I was in a place in my life where I could commit to that, and that’s about it. But, you know, I’m happy she got [her] way. I’m happy that she ended up going— spun the block with Nelly, and now she’s having a baby. I’m super proud of her … She’s gonna be an amazing mom. I would tell her that all the time.”
About the nature of their bond and age difference, he shared: “I do feel like it’s something about older women that I gravitate towards, and I just think it’s because older women understand certain shit that young women don’t.
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“It’s not even all about sex though; it’s like an intellectual level. I just feel like older women are just on a different level mentally. I’m not saying all older women, but I never looked at the age gap between me and Ashanti. I never really cared about that.”