Ashanti & Nelly: The Love That Almost Was—And Why It Took a Decade to Finally Happen

Timing, they say, is everything. For Ashanti and Nelly, it was almost the one thing they couldn’t get right—until now.

 It’s February 2025, and the red carpet is buzzing at the Los Angeles premiere of “No Address.” Cameras flash as Ashanti and Nelly, hand in hand, smile for the crowd. To many, they look like the perfect couple—confident, glamorous, and so obviously in love. But what fans are just now discovering, thanks to Peacock’s new reality series, “Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together,” is how close this love story came to never happening at all.

A Decade Ago: The Almost-Reunion No One Knew About

Long before their secret wedding in December 2023, before their viral reunion at the VMAs, and even before the world started rooting for their second chance, Ashanti and Nelly nearly rekindled their romance. The year was around 2014. Both were at the height of their careers, jet-setting, performing, and building their brands. The chemistry was still there. The feelings? Unmistakable. Nelly even came close to proposing.

But as Ashanti tells PEOPLE, “There was just so much going on in our careers, and we didn’t live in the same state. It wasn’t meant to happen then. We had a lot of kinks to work out.”

She adds, “I don’t think the timing was great back then. We both had some growing and learning to do before we could come back together.”

Why It Didn’t Work—And Why It Finally Did

In the new series, the couple opens up about the missed opportunity. Life, ambition, and geography kept pulling them in different directions. “Compromise is tough when you’re leading businesses,” Nelly admits. “She’s leading the Ashanti business, I’m leading the Nelly business. Relationships, that s— sometimes gets pushed to the side.”

Even with their powerful connection, neither was quite ready to put love first. “It’s all a leap of faith,” Nelly shares. “It’s not about being 100% sure it’ll work, but being 100% willing to take the chance.”

The Leap of Faith That Changed Everything

Their reunion in September 2023 was quiet, almost accidental. But this time, something was different. “Communication is extremely important, especially with us traveling,” Ashanti says. “Sometimes, he’s on the other side of the world. And sometimes, I’m on the other side of the world. But we make it work.”

Now, as newlyweds and co-stars in their own reality show, they’re sharing the real story behind the headlines. All eight episodes of “Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together” are streaming now on Peacock, inviting fans inside their world—the laughter, the tears, and the love that finally got its timing right.

A Love Worth Waiting For

If their journey proves anything, it’s that sometimes, love needs a little more time to grow. As Nelly puts it, “It’s all about making yourself vulnerable… letting go of control, and being willing to try again.”

Ashanti and Nelly’s story is a testament to second chances, patience, and the courage to leap—no matter how long it takes.

 Stream all episodes of “Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together” on Peacock now. Because some love stories are just too good to give up on.