A surprising new twist in the long‑standing love story of Nelly and Ashanti has gone viral—but not for what fans might expect. In candid conversations around their Peacock reality show Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together, the couple recently debated what are, in their eyes, the best and worst things ever—honing in on their relationship lessons, personal growth, and even hilarious everyday pet peeves.

 From “I Hated Him/Her” to Marital Maturity

At the heart of the debate is a startling admission: despite years of fame and collaboration since 2003, Ashanti and Nelly once actively disliked one another. As Ashanti says in the trailer for their show, “I hated him.” Nelly quips back, “I hated her.”

These remarks frame their journey: after an on-again/off-again romance for 11 years, they rekindled in late 2023, married quietly in December, and welcomed their son Kareem Kenkaide “KK” Hayes in July 2024.

Despite the ups and downs, they highlight one clear truth: the mistakes and resentment of their past became the foundation for deeper understanding today.

 The Ultimate “Best Thing Ever”: Growth Through Time Apart

When asked what ultimately saved their relationship, both point to the decade they spent apart. Nelly openly compared their early relationship to “taking a test drive” before committing for good, explaining that separation provided the clarity growth demands.

He elaborated:

“What you thought mattered a lot… once you go through other scenarios, you realize that’s not really as big of a deal as you thought it would be.”

Ashanti echoes this sentiment, repeatedly praising communication, being graceful and open-minded as keys to their renewed partnership.

 The “Worst Thing Ever”: Emotional Scars and Betrayal

Ashanti has hinted at the darker side of their early romance. In a 2013 Hot 97 interview, she reflected:

“He put a couple of scars on me — not physically… we’ve definitely scarred each other.”

Further confirming her past pain, she admitted on other platforms feeling distrust and betrayal—elements that contributed to their eventual breakup around 2013.

Best / Worst Round: What Made the Cut?

While the full reality‑series clip hasn’t yet aired publicly, promotional interviews and social reaction offer clues:

Best: Rediscovery of love through communication, emotional maturity, and being “better versions” of themselves. Nelly said, “It’s about the good outweighing the bad.”

Worst: Pain inflicted in secrecy—broken trust, unresolved betrayals, and deep hurt defined their early years together.

 Public Response & Reddit Commentary

Fans online have mirrored the debate with enthusiasm and skepticism.

On Reddit, some users remain cautiously optimistic:

“Ashanti will always have my respect. Class. Nelly.. yeah he cool 😂👍”

Others still voice concern, referencing past allegations:

“The way people have forgotten he has been accused of rape multiple times… he’s gross.”

That division reflects larger tension: love story or cautionary tale?

 How They Keep It Real: Lessons from Their Daily Lives

In recent People interviews, the couple revealed their “marriage rule”: be real with each other, especially on sensitive topics. Nelly said:

“If you can bear it down to the facts… sometimes the facts may not be in your favor. And that’s a hard thing to find a foundation about.”

Ashanti emphasized the challenge of long-distance work:

“Communication is extremely important, especially with us traveling.”

Their honesty positions “clear and respectful communication” as one of their best shared discoveries together.

Conclusion: What Are Actually the Best and Worst Things Ever?

Based on interviews and their own words:

The best thing ever appears to be the growth born from time apart: emotional maturity, re-found love, and deeper communication.

The worst thing ever seems to be the betrayals, misunderstandings, and unresolved wounds of their earlier relationship.

Their debate—playful yet earnest—is a new lens on modern celebrity love: acknowledging flaws, accepting accountability, and learning that emotional resilience can become love’s greatest asset.