It was getting hot in herre for Nelly and his wife, Ashanti, at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
After performing a medley of his hits like “Hot in Herre,” “Air Force Ones, “Ride Wit Me” and “Country Grammar” during the Monday, March 17, ceremony at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, Nelly, 50, was joined on stage but his wife, 44, who presented him with the 2025 iHeartRadio Landmark Award. The accolade honors artists whose album releases have inspired and shaped culture over multiple decades.
Nelly seemingly wasn’t expecting Ashanti to pop up after his performance, as he looked visibly surprised when she scurried on stage with the trophy. The two stared a sweet kiss before turning to smile toward the roaring audience.
The two used the evening as a date night, walking the red carpet earlier in the evening. Ashanti rocked a black dress with a leather skirt and black cutout top, accessorizing the look with gold bangle bracelets and hoop earrings. Nelly, meanwhile, started the night off in an all-black ensemble — which he paired with a detailed diamond chain necklace — before changing into a two-piece tan sweatsuit for his performance. He completed both outfits with sunglasses.
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Ashanti and Nelly dated on and off from 2003 to 2013, but reconciliation rumors began swirling in April 2023 when they were spotted holding hands in Las Vegas. Nelly later confirmed that the pair were “cool” again.
“I think it surprised both of us though. It wasn’t anything that I don’t think was planned,” he said on the “Boss Moves With Rasheeda” podcast in September 2023. “Before I felt like both of us were doing what we were doing before career-wise, and when you got so many people in the middle of it, it can be tough.”
According to a source at the time, the pair did not want to “rush anything” after finding each other again, telling Us, “Ashanti never would’ve imagined reconciling with Nelly, but they’re enjoying spending time together.”
In December 2023, Us exclusively broke the news that Asanti was pregnant, and the couple secretly engaged vows that same month. They welcomed their son, Kareem Kinkaide Haynes, in July 2024. (Nelly shares four additional children from previous relationships.)
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While discussing the arrival of her little one, Ashanti told Entertainment Tonight that she gave birth a little earlier than she expected, causing Nelly to “fly in at the last minute.”
“Just having all of us in the delivery room and seeing his face for the first time, I cried,” she recalled. “It was just so emotional and so spiritual. Kind of having a vision of this moment for so long.”
Ashanti noted that she knew she “always wanted children,” adding, “I always wanted to get married. I didn’t know that I was going to spin the block and be with my ex from a long time ago.”
