Parts of singer Ashanti’s personal life are as clear as the tropical waters she dives into on her frequent vacations — Like during her birthday month, October, when happy snaps from the Libra’s celebrations are on social media. Just don’t ask about her relationship.
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Ashanti has confirmed one relationship during her 20-odd years in the spotlight, only after they parted ways after nearly a decade. The rumor mill links her to a comedian, rapper, and record executive with loose lips.
The “John Tucker Must Die” star has posted countless thirst traps from around the globe of her fabulous trips, but none got as much attention as a photo of her and a mystery man in México.
US singer Ashanti arrives for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, September 12, 2021. | Source: Getty Images
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Ashanti Reacts To Speculation
Ashanti went down to Cancún, México, to celebrate her sister Kenashia’s birthday with friends and family in June 2021. A post of her standing close to a tall man got the most likes that week, not because her party is seen drinking directly from a champagne bottle in the second slide.
Fans speculated if this was her new man and, according to Distractify, a small corner of the fan base criticized her for dating outside her race. Had they scrolled through to the third slide, they would have seen her jumping with the restaurant staff and the mystery man.
The “Happy” diva shut down the speculation directly in the comment section of The Shade Room, “Lmaoooo NO! He’s one of the managers at the restaurant!!! He is NOT my man, and we are NOT dating.”
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Ashanti and Michael Blackson are seen on July 2, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. | Source Getty Images
Ashanti’s Dating History
A group photo from that same Cancún breakaway also sparked romance murmurs when fans spotted rapper Flo Rida tagged in the back. The actress did not react to the rumors about her longtime friend.
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The “Hot in Herre” performer denied they were dating to Us Weekly in 2010.
Comedian Michael Blackson is another favorite amongst fans as a potential boyfriend after the singer called the Ghana funnyman her “homie” on Instagram. They hung out at the launch of her Pretty Little Thing swimwear collection in August 2019.
Ashanti (left) with director and The Inc Records CEO Irv Gotti, shoots her new video for “Don’t Let Them” on March 3, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
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The Jealous “Ex”
Producer Irv Gotti, the CEO of her former record label Murder Inc., claimed in a 2017 interview on Hot 97 that they had an intimate relationship. He expanded on this story in 2022 on “Drink Champs,” claiming he conceptualized her 2002 hit “Happy” after they slept together.
He found out about her relationship with Nelly while watching an NBA game on TV that the couple attended. The producer cannot get over her “wanting to be with Nelly,” as he claims to have been “in love” with her.
The singer has never reacted to this allegation, and she was in a nine-year relationship with Nelly during some of the time the producer says they were together.
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Ashanti’s Break-Up With Nelly
Ashanti gave insight into the breakdown of her relationship with Nelly in an interview on “The Meredith Vieira Show” on March 13, 2022. The “What’s Luv?” singer said she was “betrayed” and that people act out of character due to insecurities:
“You have to grow up and accept responsibilities for the things that you do. I’m not a big fan of people being cowards. I think it’s really important to know yourself, and understand what you want and get it. I’m in a different place right now.”
Recording Artists Nelly and Ashanti during her surprise birthday dinner hosted by the rapper at STK on October 13, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images
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The former couple collaborated on the track “Body On Me,” which featured on her album “The Declaration,” and his “Brass Knuckles” in 2008. The “Hot in Herre” performer, however, denied that he and Ashanti were dating to Us Weekly in 2010.
The duo had a surprise reunion performance of “Body On Me” on August 5, 2022, at the “My 2000s Playlist” show in Oakland. HipHop DX reports that the rapper made a passing comment about the Gotti interview, “Hey yo, I’ve got floor seats to the next game,” at which she laughs.
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