SINGER Ashanti, 43, and husband Nelly, 49, have welcomed their first child together. The happy news was shared on Instagram.
In the photo, Ashanti is seen wearing Frida Mom disposable panties, while taking a picture of herself in the mirror and sharing how she looks after giving birth.
“Ashanti and Nelly welcomed their son, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, on July 18, 2024. The proud and happy parents are so in love with KK!” a rep for the couple tells PEOPLE.
In a series of photos on her Instagram, Ashanti also shared a video of herself wearing a blue robe, showing off her body while saying, “Four weeks postpartum. You have no idea what this body can do.”
“Funny how life plans don’t always work out… lol. I’ve been looking forward to being a mom for so long, but nothing could have prepared me for EVERYTHING that motherhood brings!” Ashanti captioned the photo.
“This is what postpartum looks like, I’m loving these super comfy @fridamom shorts! I’m so proud of my body for giving me my baby, my baby, my baby.”
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The Grammy Award winners first announced they were expecting their first baby when the R&B singer shared a video on her Instagram.
As Ashanti prepared to perform, her mother Tina Douglas asked her how much time she needed. “Uh, I need about nine months,” Ashanti replied, much to her mother’s surprise.
The singer shared the news with Essence, revealing that not only is she pregnant, but she is also engaged to Nelly.
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“This new year of my life has been a blessing filled with love, hope, and anticipation,” Ashanti told the outlet. “Motherhood is something I’ve always looked forward to, and sharing it with my family, my fiancé, and my loyal fans who have been so supportive of my career has been an incredible experience.”
Nelly and Ashanti are set to marry on Dec. 27, 2023, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE in June. TMZ first reported the news of their nuptials.
When the famous couple celebrated together at the 11th Black and White Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel in December, they first sparked pregnancy rumors while they were both on stage.
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The singer placed her hand on her belly, and when the rapper noticed, he did the same. The two stared at each other before laughing and smiling widely, which many fans took as a hint that there was baby news to be shared.
In September 2023, Nelly confirmed that the couple were back together during an appearance on Boss Moves with Rasheeda, saying that the reconciliation “surprised both of us.”
“It wasn’t something we planned. We both just did what we did,” he explained. “But sometimes, by being apart, you understand each other better. You can think, ‘Well, let me see exactly what they see.’ We can all get defensive in our own relationships. We know we’re wrong but we’re still going to hold on to it, you know what I mean? But we’re all victims of that.”
Nelly is already father to son Cornell III (known as Tre), 25, and daughter, Chanelle (known as Nana), 30. The rapper also helped raise niece Sydney and nephew Shawn after his sister Jackie Donahue died of leukemia at age 31 in March 2005. (People/Z-3)
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