A Scandal Breaks Just as Their Love Story Hits the Spotlight

In late June 2025, only days before the premiere of their reality TV show “Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together” on Peacock, social media was rocked by a comment from an Instagram account, @niyahhsymonee, who claimed:

Ashanti BLASTS Nelly For Getting Caught With Shantell Jackson? HE BEEN  CHEATING - YouTube

“He had me s*****ing two weeks ago.”

The implication: Nelly had allegedly been cheating on Ashanti just two weeks prior—despite appearing as a devoted fiancé and soon-to-be father. The comment went viral after being featured on gossip blogger Tasha K’s YouTube channel, “Unwine With Tasha K.”

Screenshots circulated widely, igniting chaos online. Fans were stunned, and hashtags like #NellyCheating and #PoorAshanti began trending.

Ashanti CRIES After Nelly's Side Chick LEAKS X Tape | NELLY BEEN CHEATING -  YouTube

 🧨 Account Vanishes – Was It All Fake?

Soon after the viral claim, the account that made the allegation was disabled or deleted. Meanwhile, another Instagram user, @angelantionette, came forward to say her photos had been stolen to create the fake account.

Ashanti BREAKS DOWN After Nelly's Side Chick LEAKS SHOCKING Tape! - YouTube

She posted:

“Smh. This is a FAKE ACCOUNT USING MY PICTURES. Stop believing everything on the internet.”

Her account, which dates back to 2015 with consistent content and tagged posts, appears legitimate. This debunked the viral account as an impersonation, likely created solely to stir controversy.

Ashanti CRIES After Nelly Is Caught Cheating & Exposes His Mistress -  YouTube

😢 Did Ashanti Really Cry? Let’s Look at the Facts

Despite the sensational headline “Ashanti CRIES,” there is no verified footage, post, or report showing Ashanti crying or publicly reacting emotionally to the rumor.

Shantel Calls Out Nelly for Wasting Her Time, Marrying Ashanti - YouTube

In fact, in recent promotional interviews for the couple’s show, Ashanti appeared composed, upbeat, and focused on her music, pregnancy, and future with Nelly.

No breakdown, no live video, no cryptic tweets—just silence.

Ashanti CRIES After Nelly Is Caught Cheating & Exposes His Mistress -  YouTube

 💔 A Deeper Look: Is There Truth Behind the Rumor?

The Claims:

That Nelly was physically involved with another woman two weeks before the show’s premiere.

That an X-rated video may exist and could be leaked.

 

Nelly Accused Of Cheating On Ashanti AFTER THIS... - YouTube

 

 

The Evidence:

None. Zero screenshots. No texts. No receipts.

The person who made the claim has vanished.

The “side chick’s” identity is confirmed fake by the real woman whose images were used.

 

 

Ashanti & Nelly's PRIVATE Wedding & Baby News – Fans Are STUNNED! - YouTube

 

This is a classic case of clout-chasing—creating drama for attention using fake profiles.

After Nelly's ARREST Ashanti Filed For DIVORCE - YouTube

👀 Public Reaction: Divided but Mostly Skeptical

Online commentary has been largely critical of the original claim, with many fans defending Nelly and Ashanti.

A Reddit thread titled “That Nelly cheating rumor is fake as hell” gained thousands of upvotes.

 

Ashanti and Nelly Are BACK TOGETHER! (Source) - YouTube

 

On TikTok, users stitched the original rumor video with sarcastic reactions, saying, “Of course someone fakes drama before a show launch.”

Some, however, remain suspicious due to Nelly’s past. In 2022, a clip of him accidentally leaking an explicit video surfaced, though it was unrelated to Ashanti and happened before their rekindled relationship.

After 21 Years, Ashanti Confirms She's Back together with Rapper Nelly..  Hints of Upcoming marriage! - Hollywood All

 Expert Perspective

Dr. Alexis Raymond, a media psychologist, commented:

“We live in an era where ‘fake it until it trends’ dominates. A single comment with no source can spark nationwide headlines. It’s dangerous—especially when it targets high-profile women like Ashanti during a vulnerable time, such as pregnancy.”

After 21 Years, Ashanti Confirms She's Back together with Rapper Nelly..  Hints of Upcoming marriage! - Hollywood All

 Silence from the Couple – Strategic or Real?

Ashanti and Nelly have remained silent amid the rumors, which some interpret as maturity and privacy, while others see it as avoidance.

Their show We Belong Together is meant to show their journey to rebuilding love, blending families, and preparing for parenthood. If the allegations were true, they would undermine everything the show promotes.

Still, many believe silence can be powerful—especially when lies don’t deserve a response.

10 TIMES NELLY AND HIS WIFE ASHANTI WERE COMPLETELY OBSESSED WITH EACH  OTHER.. see more 🥰...... - YouTube

 Final Verdict

After reviewing all available evidence, the rumor that Nelly cheated on Ashanti and that a side chick leaked an explicit tape appears to be:

Ashanti CRIES After Nelly's Side Chick LEAKS X Tape | NELLY BEEN CHEATING -  YouTube

 What Comes Next?

If this was a test of their relationship, Ashanti and Nelly have passed—at least in the public’s eyes.

Upcoming episodes of We Belong Together may address the rumors, or they may ignore them entirely. Either way, fans are tuning in not for drama—but for love, growth, and redemption.