Hey everyone, this drama isn’t about Nelly’s ex, Shantel, and definitely not Ashanti! Shantel has been causing a stir, seemingly out of nowhere, and it’s especially problematic since Ashanti is about to give birth any day now. Ever since Ashanti got back with Nelly, Shantel has been openly showing her jealousy. She’s been shading Ashanti, hinting that Ashanti stole Nelly from her, and even claiming that Nelly is still interested in her. But this time, Shantel went too far. She was caught making fun of Ashanti’s pregnancy weight gain and fat-shaming her, which led to Ashanti having a breakdown. Nelly is furious and has called Shantel out, accusing her of being a bitter ex and even threatening to have her confronted. Things are about to get really messy, so brace yourselves!
It’s easy to see why Shantel might feel jealous. Nelly had promised her a future together, saying he couldn’t imagine life without her. He once said, “I wouldn’t want to live a life without Shantel. We’ve been together for 5 or 6 years. When you connect with someone like that, it’s meant to last. She’s sweet and beautiful, and as we got to know each other better, I realized she’s just as beautiful on the inside.” Shantel even stood up for him when serious allegations were made against him. She said, “I was there at those venues, in the dressing rooms, and on that tour bus. There are women dealing with real issues who deserve to be heard. It’s frustrating that false claims only make it harder for survivors to be taken seriously.”
I’m not defending Shantel’s actions—bullying a pregnant woman is truly awful. But I want to explain where she might be coming from. After spending over nine years with Nelly, she saw him go back to his ex, marry her, and get her pregnant. Shantel hasn’t been shy about her feelings. Remember how she threw shade during a recent Instagram Q&A? When a fan asked her about reuniting with an ex, she made a sassy remark about moving forward and not looking back. She said something like, “Am I single? Yes, I’m single and ready to mingle. My nationality? I’m American Indian, Black, and White. As for advice on going back to someone you really loved, if that works for you, go for it. I don’t go back. I don’t go backwards.”
It seems like Shantel couldn’t resist stealing some of the spotlight. Whenever Nelly and Ashanti were trending for their cute relationship, she made sure to insert herself into the mix. When Nelly posted a flirty pic of Ashanti on his lap with a sweet caption, Ashanti played along with a cheeky response. But then Shantel dropped a video of herself flaunting jewelry with a caption that seemed to throw shade, saying, “Not impressed. What competition? I’m the best.” Fans definitely noticed and called her out for being messy and salty, which probably made her realize it was time to back off to avoid getting dragged.
Just because she isn’t throwing shade doesn’t mean she’s changed—especially since she recently poked fun at Ashanti for her pregnancy weight gain. Fans are ready to stir things up. The drama kicked off when Nelly went all out for husband of the year by surprising Ashanti with a super cute baby shower at the Dolce & Gabbana Baby Boutique in New York. Ashanti was thrilled, saying, “Oh my God, I thought I was coming to a photo shoot. Thank you so much. I love you all. I appreciate you.” If there were any doubts about their love, this baby shower erased them. Nelly’s words about their relationship were truly touching: “She’s doing amazing. We’re so blessed and happy. I can’t wait to start this new chapter with her and our baby.”
If you thought the first shower was adorable, you’re in for a treat. Nelly went above and beyond with a second, more intimate celebration for her, this time just for family and close friends. He went all out and rented the gorgeous Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York. It was an absolute dream. Nelly really put his all into planning this one, and it turned out to be incredibly sweet.
You know how it goes on the internet—there’s always going to be some hate. As soon as Ashanti’s latest pictures hit social media, the critics came out in full force, making nasty comments about her weight gain and body-shaming her. The photo went viral, and suddenly, everyone had something to say about how much weight she’s gained. Experts generally say that women should gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy, with 2 to 4 pounds in the first trimester and about a pound a week after that. But weight gain can vary widely from person to person.
Fans have been quick to judge Ashanti, claiming she’s gained more weight than she should have, which is just ridiculous. Every pregnancy is different, and how each woman carries her baby is unique. What matters most is that both she and her baby are healthy. It’s disappointing to see such harsh comments, especially when they come from people who clearly don’t have medical expertise. Some have even suggested she’s at risk for conditions like diabetes or preeclampsia, which is unnecessary and unkind. If there were real health concerns, her doctors would be all over it. People really need to learn to keep their negative opinions to themselves and support her instead.
Apart from the usual online trolls, Ashanti has been open about her excitement for motherhood. She’s shared, “Motherhood is something I’ve been eagerly looking forward to, and sharing this journey with my family, fiancé, and amazing fans who supported my career is beyond words.”
But there’s some drama brewing. Apparently, Shantel has been secretly enjoying seeing Ashanti get criticized. She’s made it clear over the past few weeks that she’s not a fan of Ashanti, believing that Ashanti stole her man and should be the one marrying Nelly and living the high life. An insider revealed that Shantel has been throwing shade at Ashanti’s weight, comparing herself to Ashanti and suggesting that Nelly should have stayed with her because she wouldn’t have gained weight during pregnancy. Shantel even posted some shady tweets and a picture flaunting her toned stomach, clearly aimed at Ashanti.
In response, Nelly took to Instagram Live to defend Ashanti. He said, “Let me tell you something, shawty. She’s great and she supports my happiness. That’s why we’re together, just like I support hers. So there’s no need to drag her into any drama.”
Fans have rallied behind Nelly and Ashanti, praising them for handling the situation with grace. Comments have highlighted the unfairness of body shaming during pregnancy. One person said, “At least she’s really pregnant and not faking it with a surrogate. I give her props for that and for getting married. Marriage could be fake, but at least she’s showing us more than just being a baby mama.” Another added, “I can’t believe some people. Criticizing a pregnant woman’s weight is crazy. I looked the same when I was pregnant. Everything changes, but she’ll be fine. She looks beautiful, and I wish her a safe pregnancy and delivery. Women’s bodies go through so much.”