Nelly faces backlash after openly admitting he isn’t contributing to parenting duties for his and Ashanti’s newborn son, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, who was born in August 2023. While Ashanti is adjusting to life as a new mom, Nelly already has two older children and previously raised his late sister’s kids as his own.
During a recent episode of Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together, Ashanti opened up about struggling to care for their baby alone while Nelly tours. “It’s a lot,” she said, describing the exhaustion that comes with solo parenting.
The Dilemma singer responded bluntly, “Well, listen, it’s all you, I ain’t even gon’ lie. You know, I ain’t got nothing for him.” Ashanti quickly replied, Absolutely not, I know.”
In another scene, Nelly joked with friends about his hands-off approach: “Until he can say ‘I’m hungry’… he’s with you. When he walks and talks, he’s with the crew.”
Nelly also laughed and called his ability to sleep through anything “a gift.” Ashanti didn’t let it slide: “No. That means get up, it’s your turn to change him.”
In another moment, Nelly told Ashanti, “Baby, I’ll give you the world… I just ain’t changing no diapers.” Ashanti rolled her eyes and FaceTimed the nanny to check on Kareem. When Nelly joked, “Why you don’t ever sound that excited when I call?”
Ashanti stayed silent – and fans online didn’t.
Fans Slam Nelly’s Parenting Attitude
Viewers were stunned. Many criticized Nelly for leaving Ashanti to shoulder the parenting burden, especially during the baby’s most demanding stage.
Social media lit up with criticism. One comment said, “This is not normal… Men should not get away with doing the bare minimum. He treats her like she should be glad he gave her a child.” Another slammed Nelly, saying: “She waited all these years to have a baby by a teenager.”
Fans expressed disappointment that Ashanti waited so long to become a mother, only to end up parenting alone, “So she’s a married single mom? Lol. Got it.” said one viewer.
The simplest response was this: “Real men change diapers.”
Fans often look up to celebrity couples, Nelly and Ashanti’s parenting dynamic sparked a broader conversation. Viewers argued that the situation highlights a real-world issue – unequal parenting expectations and emotional labor placed on mothers.
Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together remains on air, keeping the couple in the public eye. Despite the controversy, they stay together, having quietly tied the knot in 2023.
