Fans made Ashanti their #womencrushwednesday on Aug. 11 after she shared new Instagram photos from her performance at Carnegie Hall. In the photos taken on Aug. 3, the Grammy-winning vocalist wore a sparkling Black gown with gold trimmings around the neck, with gold shoes to match. The first collage of photos featured three images of the “Happy” singer on stage and a video that offers a close-up of her polished makeup look.
“Regal bearing,” Ashanti captioned the second set of photos, which received over 55,000 likes. The final trio of photos, captioned with an Ace of spade, consisted of the R&B artist standing next to a Steinway piano and posing next to the wall.
Fans were mesmerized by Ashanti’s beauty, hips, body and hair. But more than that, many complimented the 41-year-old for remaining unbothered by the recent drama Irv Gotti caused.
“Baby looks beat, booked, busy and unBOTHERED!”
“Unbothered at its best as it should be.”
“Definition of beautiful & UNBOTHERED!!! Don’t play with my girl.”
“NOT bothered at ALL. You look amazing as always.”
“It’s the ‘no comment’ moves for me. Keep than energy Queen.”
The drama unfolded after the Murder Inc. co-founder revealed details about an alleged past relationship with Ashanti. During an appearance on “Drink Champs,” Gotti expressed that he was hurt that she dated rapper Nelly.
Ashanti seemingly publicly has not addressed his remarks, but fans were confused about why he disclosed details about their alleged involvement. Even though it happened 20 years ago, many believe he’s “obsessed” with her for bringing it up now.
One person said, “Shanti that man talking real bad! I think he’s obsessed.” Another wrote, “You got ol’ boy in his feelings.”
“What kinda magic did you use on that boy?”
Gotti’s “Drink Champs” interview caused chaos and confusion for many, including Judge Mathis who advised Ashanti to seek a gag order against the music executive during a run-in with TMZ. Rapper Fat Joe chimed in to defend the “R&B Princess,” by calling out Gotti during an Instagram Live session earlier this week. He admitted there were rumors about Ashanti and Gotti dating, but he expressed he never needed confirmation.
“I never seen it, but I don’t need to know. I don’t need to know,” said the “What’s Luv” artist. “It’s okay if it’s on a documentary and you say ya truth in a documentary. But to go to ‘Drink Champs’ and keep calling her a ‘b—-.’ Keep disrespecting…”
Joe and Ashanti refer to each other as brother and sister the same way she does with Ja Rule. Joe blasted the “Always On Time” artist for not defending his “sis” during the interview, adding, “Ja Rule was standing right next to him.”
The “Fast & Furious” actor hit back at the Bronx native in the comments of Hollywood Unlocked’s report on Instagram. Ja wrote, “STOP saying I didn’t defend sis and all women when I clearly told Gotti stop calling Ashanti/women the B word same way I told Joe at Verzuz watch the interview before you talk s–t… NOW LEAVE ME TF OUT THESE GROWN FOLKS BUSINESS.”
Ja Rule later shared an Instagram post later clarifying his stance in amid the drama.
“Brotherly love… The last few days have been very turbulent for me but it’s time to land the plane… I love my sis I love my bro but I DO NOT condone or agree with the behavior nor the way Gotti handled things on drink champs I hope y’all understand how uncomfortable this is for me being in the middle of something I wish to not be… going forward all I ask is to be left out of this please and thank you!!! Sincerely Switzerland Bennett…” he wrote.
