Ashanti REVEALS She & Nelly Are Back Together at 2023 MTV VMAs
What’s Luv? Just ask Ashanti.
After reigniting her romance with Nelly after 10 years, the singer sported a special nod to her love at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. (See all the stars on the red carpet here.)
While walking down the carpet at New Jersey’s Prudential Center Sept. 12, the 42-year-old paired her shimmering gown with a clutch bearing a photo of the duo.
“I just thought it was cute,” Nelly told E! News, “not a huge deal, but this is the picture we took 20 years ago at the VMAs in ’03. So I said, ‘Eh, this might be cute.'” (For more from the VMAs, tune into E! News tonight at 11 p.m.)
What’s more, Ashanti teased at new songs in the near future. “I have new music coming,” she said. “I just shot a video in Bermuda, came out amazing.”
And being at the VMAs remains an unforgettable experience for her.
“It just feels amazing, coming out of COVID and being here today in such a great space in music and with women,” she continued. “It’s a blessing. so I’m just happy to be here.”
One day prior to the VMAs, Nelly confirmed that he and Ashanti were giving their romance one more try after breaking up in 2013.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV
“I think it surprised both of us, though,” he admitted on Boss Moves with Rasheeda Sept. 11, per USA Today. “It wasn’t anything that was like, I don’t think, planned. I think we both was pretty much doing what we do. But sometimes being separate, you understand one another more, where you could be like, ‘Well, yo, let me exactly see, maybe, what they see.'”
Keep reading to see all the stars arrive at the 2023 MTV VMAs.
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Nicki Minaj
In Dolce & Gabbana.
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini
Her in Mônot.
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Shakira with sons Milan & Sasha
In Versace.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Taylor Swift
In Versace dress and Ariel Saidian, Anita Ko, and Maria Tash jewelry.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV
Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick & Justin Timberlake of *NSYNC
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV)
Selena Gomez
In Oscar de la Renta dress and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
Emily Ratajkowski
In Jean Paul Gaultier dress and Melissa Kaye jewelry.
Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic
Doja Cat
In Oscar De La Renta.
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for MTV
Dove Cameron
In Coach dress and Simon G jewelry.
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for MTV
Tiffany Haddish
In Jason Wu.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV
Charli D’Amelio
In Shushu/tong.
Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images
Lil Nas X
In Palomo Spain.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Olivia Rodrigo
In Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Tinashe
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Cardi B
In Dilara Findikoglu
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Megan Thee Stallion
In Brandon Blackwood.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV
Sabrina Carpenter
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Saweetie
In Area.
Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images
Ice Spice
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV
Dixie D’Amelio
In Maticevski.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV
Sofia Carson
In Alexandre Vauthier
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Bebe Rexha
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for MTV
Madelyn Cline
In Givenchy
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Demi Lovato
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Anitta
In Schiaparelli.
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Coco Jones
In Moschino.
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Nelly Furtado
Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
Karol G
In Ashi Studio dress and Jacob & Co. jewelry.
Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV
Chlöe Bailey
In Roberto Cavalli.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Reneé Rapp
Watch the 2023 MTV VMAs on Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
