Ashanti and Nelly Have Glam Night Out amid Romance Rumors

Nelly and Ashanti continue to spend time together, sparking more rumors that the two have reconciled their love.

The “Stupid” singer, 42, and rapper, “Ride Wit Me,” 48, had a glamorous night at the 3rd Annual Birthday Ball of Quality Control CEO Pierre “P” Thomas at The Fox Theater in Atlanta on Thursday.

A photographer photographed the duo posing at the event with their arms crossed in equally sparkly outfits.

Nelly wore a black shirt and pants with a silver sequined waistcoat, while Ashanti rocked an off-the-shoulder black dress covered with silver jewellery. She adorned the look with glasses, a large silver chain necklace, and black shoes.

Ashanti, who performed at the event later in the evening, sang her song “Foolish” and shared a series of videos of the performance on her Instagram Story.

Thursday was the first red carpet event where Nelly and Ashanti were pictured together since October 2012.

Both were at the same venue for Fat Joe and Ja Rule’s Verzuz event in September 2021. And just last month, the two of them threw a casual party with friends while attending R&B on Wednesdays at the Red Martini Lounge in Atlanta.

Representatives of the stars didn’t immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Friday, but a source close to the musicians told PEOPLE in May that on-and-off exes were slowing things down and “touring, performing, and hanging out together.”

On May 28, Ashanti performed Nelly on the Las Vegas show with Ja Rule at the Palms Casino Resort, where the singers performed their 2008 collaboration “Body on Me.” He also performed at Power 98.3 and 96.1’s Under the Mistletoe concert in Arizona – dancing and squeaking with him for their 2008 hit.

In April, the stars were seen once again at the boxing match between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas. In a video that went viral on social media, the two looked relaxed sitting side by side. They were also seen holding hands after the fight.

But Ashanti and Nelly’s romance has long been something of a mystery. They’ve both been shy over the years about whether they’re really together or just friends.

He confirmed to PEOPLE in 2005 that they were “going out” but said they were “not boyfriend and girlfriend” – but three years later, he said an engagement was “definitely in the future”.

In a 2013 Hot 97 interview, the rapper jokingly replied, “Who said we were in a relationship?”

But in 2014, Ashanti admitted in an interview that she was Nelly’s first true love. Morning Swingand later told Hot 97 that there was no “beef” between the two.

She was later seen reflecting on their breakup in 2015. Meredith Vieira Show.

“Sometimes I think that people’s own insecurities allow them to act outside of their character. I was deceived,” she replied. “Again, you just have to grow up. You have to grow up and accept responsibility for what 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 am in a different place right now.”

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Asked in a view in December 2021 Watch Live With Andy Cohen Ashanti was timid if she was planning to reunite with Nelly. “A lot of people want it,” she said. “What I’m going to say is, we’re in a very bad place. It was like this before. [tense], but we’re fine now. We had a little chat, that was very good.”