“That Car Was the Best Thing I Had”—Inside Their Comeback Romance, Baby & Reality Show
Nelly is opening up about his second chance at love with Ashanti, and let’s just say—he’s putting all his cards (and heart) on the table.
In a heartfelt new interview with People, the rapper got real about why things are finally clicking in their relationship after years of public breakups, rumors, and solo growth. And yes—he compared it all to taking a test drive.
“It’s like when people say, ‘You should always test drive a car before you buy it,’” Nelly said, reflecting on their early 2000s romance.
“We had a chance to test drive a relationship… That car was the best thing I had riding around that thing, man. Fire it back up, baby.”
🚗 A Second Ride—With a Whole Lot More Love
Nelly and Ashanti’s story is nothing short of a full-circle fairytale. The couple first dated back in 2003, but split a decade later in 2013. For 10 years, they went their separate ways—until fate brought them back together.
Fast-forward to September 2023: the two quietly rekindled their relationship, keeping things low-key until they married just three months later in a private ceremony. Then, in July 2024, they welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Kareem Kenkaide Haynes.
“What you thought mattered a lot, once you go through other scenarios, you realize that’s not really as big of a deal,” Nelly told People.
“It’s just growth.”
💞 From Breakup to Breakthrough
Nelly spoke openly about how maturity and life experience helped them realize what truly matters:
“You get something that you thought you was missing, and it still doesn’t compensate or fill a void.
You’re like, ‘Damn, I thought that would mean more,’ but it doesn’t. It’s just growth.”
Their reconnection didn’t just rekindle romance—it sparked something deeper. And fans can now watch that love story unfold in real time.
🎥 “We Belong Together”: Reality, Rebooted
The couple recently launched their Peacock reality series, We Belong Together, in June 2025. The show offers a raw, inside look at their journey—from past pain to present peace—and is already gaining buzz for its authenticity.
The show features:
- Candid conversations about their past split
- Sweet moments preparing for parenthood
- Emotional reflections on finding love again in a changed world
For fans who’ve followed the couple for two decades, it’s the closure and continuation we didn’t know we needed.
🎶 Inspired by Love: Nelly’s “Spin the Block”
Alongside the reality show, Nelly dropped a love-soaked track titled “Spin the Block”, clearly inspired by Ashanti and their full-circle love story.
In the lyrics, Nelly raps:
“When we said goodbye / Guess it wasn’t what we really meant / ‘Cause mile after mile / I keep passing up places we been.”
“We kicked up some dust and got stuck in some mud / But we got back to us in the end.”
It’s a lyrical love letter to the woman he couldn’t let go—and the ride they’re now taking again, together.
🍼 Baby Joy & Healing the Past
Their baby boy, Kareem, has brought even more meaning to their union. And while Ashanti has had her share of public drama—especially with ex-label boss Irv Gotti—she’s now focused on family, peace, and the future.
In recent months, Ashanti’s also been vocal about closing toxic chapters and choosing happiness.
“Sometimes, the best thing you can do is leave and come back stronger,” she said during a recent press stop.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Love That Needed Time
For Nelly, this reunion wasn’t about regret—it was about realizing what never should’ve been lost.
“Everybody don’t get a chance to, if you could say, take a test drive,” he said.
“But we had that chance… and I knew what I had. I just had to go get it back.”
💬 Are you loving this grown-and-sexy version of Nelly & Ashanti?
Do you believe in second chances at love?
Drop your thoughts below—and stream We Belong Together now on Peacock.
📲 For more celeb love stories, breakups, and redemptions, stay locked to The Pop Radar (TPR).
