Ashanti has long been a household name in the R&B and hip-hop world. The music artist burst onto the scene in the early 2000s with chart-topping hits like “Foolish” and “Always On Time” with Ja Rule. The Grammy-winning singer carved out a space for herself not just as a vocalist with a unique sound, but as a songwriter, actress and cultural icon. Even now that she’s in a mature phase of her career, she still remains revelant to pop culture.

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Ashanti grew up in

suburban Long Island, New

York with close-knit family

Sold Westbury mansion with

luxurious marble entryway and

two acres landscaped grounds

Currently living in

temporary Long Island apartment

while deciding permanent home

Ashanti and Nelly’s

future home location remains

undecided amid ongoing discussions

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In recent years, she has balanced her career resurgence and personal life and even rekindled a romance with fellow artist Nelly. The ex’s unexpected reunion has been one of the most talked-about celebrity love stories in recent years. Generally, her music has always been center stage when her name is mentioned. Fans have just become increasingly interested in the more personal aspects of her life, such as where Ashanti calls home now that she’s a wife and mother. Here’s everything we know about the songbird’s digs, both old and new.

Ashanti Grew up in Long Island, New York

This iconic artist was born Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas and raised in Glen Cove, which is on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. Her early life in Long Island was marked by a pretty close-knit family unit. Her mother, Tina Douglas, was a dance teacher, and her father, Ken-Kaide Thomas Douglas, was a singer, which likely impacted her. As she grew up, Ashanti’s natural talent was clear, and her upbringing in Long Island played a big role in her musical development. Even after she rose to fame, she kept strong ties to her hometown.

Her childhood home was humble, but the self-identified “Long Island girl” tells Essence how her upbringing continues to bring her joy. As she describes, “I grew up in Glen Cove. I remember going to Garvies Point when I was in high school and hanging out. To see it grown and flourish is exciting.”

The Singer Sold Her Westbury Mansion for $2.2 Million

In 2022, Ashanti made headlines for listing her elegant Old Westbury, New York home for $2.195 million. As Greater Long Island reports, the 5,300-square-foot estate is a classic neo-colonial residence with a range of luxurious features. It has six bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, a marble-tiled entryway and a spacious backyard situated on almost two acres of manicured land.

According to Architectural Digest, Ashanti bought this home back in 2003, which is when her fame peaked. She reportedly purchased the property for $1.95 million, likely to celebrate her newfound success as a recording artist. Naturally, the home showcased her personal style, which is sophisticated but never overstated.

A video tour by Greater Long Island gave fans a glimpse into her past home’s elegant interior and some of the tasteful decor. She eventually listed the house for $2.198 million in July 2022, but after sitting on the market for a year, Ashanti ultimately dropped the price to $1.95 million, allowing her to offload it in August 2023, per Realtor.com.

After Starting a Family Together, Where Do Nelly and Ashanti Live?

With the sale of her long-time Westbury mansion and high-profile reunion with Nelly, Ashanti’s living situation has shifted. In 2024, the couple announced they were expecting their first child together. With this huge life change, fans began speculating about their shared home life since the two were not based in the same areas.

While Ashanti and Nelly have clearly planned certain aspects of their future together, some things are not completely panned out. In fact, in an interview posted in March 2025 with Angie Martinez on Facebook Watch, Ashanti revealed that the two had not even decided on a permanent home yet. Their impending decision may be because they understand the importance of establishing a stable and equally stunning home base. Yet, some have speculated that there is trouble in paradise for the newlyweds.

New Reality Series Reveals Finding the Perfect Home Hasn’t Been Easy

Despite being a celebrity who has been relatively private about her personal life, Ashanti’s living situation has suddenly become a hot topic across the internet. The show “Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together” has gone viral due to the conflict between the two lovebirds. With their son Kareem Kenkaide Haynes in tow and careers to consider, where Ashanti and Nelly choose to live will ultimately impact every aspect of their lives.

Surprisingly, this show, which centers on the newly renewed couples’ time back together, has highlighted the major issue as something that may not be resolved anytime soon. As Huffpost reports, ​​”On the show, the two are living in a temporary apartment in Long Island. Ashanti, a New Yorker, wants to live in NYC, but her husband says that before they married, he told her he did not want to live in the area full time.”

Instead, Nelly wants to stay in the St. Louis area. So, once they reach a final decision, their next home could be located in either area. But one thing is for certain: the couple will likely opt for a decked-out celebrity starter home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ashanti married to?

Ashanti is married to Nelly (Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.), after doubling back from their initial relationship which began in 2003 and ended in 2013. They tied the knot in a lowkey ceremony in December 2023, according to People.

How old was Ashanti when she had her baby?

Ashanti gave birth to her baby at 43 years old. She started her family later in life, which allowed her to establish an iconic career and find her way back to her young love.