The names Nelly (Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.) and Kelly Rowland (Kelendria Trene Rowland) evoke nostalgia for fans of all generations.
In 2002, their mega-hit “Dilemma” was so iconic that one could likely recite every word of it. The video of that song made many wonder if the two ever dated.
So, were the rumors correct? Did they have an affair?
No, Nelly (Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.) and Kelly Rowland (Kelendria Trene Rowland) never dated. Kelly clarified in an interview that he is like a big brother to her. She has been married to talent manager Tim Weatherspoon since 2014 and has two sons with him, Titan Jewell and Noah Jon. Nelly was last linked to Shantel Jackson.
Did Kelly Rowland and Nelly Date?
Kelendria Trene ‘Kelly’ Rowland, an accomplished American singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist, first gained fame as a prominent vocalist in the iconic all-female group of the nineties, Destiny’s Child.
One of the most memorable moments in Kelly Rowland’s career was her collaboration with the rapper Nelly (Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.) in the 2002 hit song “Dilemma.”
Their fiery on-screen chemistry led to speculation about a possible romance brewing behind the scenes. However, both Nelly’s and Rowland’s camps consistently denied these rumors.
Rowland clarified their relationship with Nelly by stating (via Zimbio):
“Nelly and I are not dating. He has been a friend of Destiny’s Child for years. Nelly’s like a big brother to me,” effectively ending the romantic speculation.
So, who did these two stars end up dating?
What Is Kelly and Nelly’s Dating History?
Kelly Rowland’s romantic history is complicated, and so is Nelly’s. Her dating life includes her high school sweetheart and prom date, Foti Kallergis.
A throwback prom night photo of Kelly with Foti emerged in 2014, confirming their high school romance. Although they started as friends, their relationship grew during their senior year.
However, Kelly’s love life took a new turn when she married talent manager Tim Weatherspoon in a private Costa Rican ceremony on May 9, 2014.
They are proud parents to two children, Titan Jewell and Noah Jon, residing in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles. In 2019, rumors of a potential divorce swirled around Kelly and Tim’s five-year marriage.
In an interview, Kelly addressed these speculations, emphasizing their commitment to working through any challenges. She openly shared their efforts to maintain a passionate and loving marriage, firmly stating that divorce was not an option.
On the other hand, Nelly, the rapper known for his hit songs, has had his share of high-profile relationships too.
He dated rapper Eve for several years in the early 2000s and had a brief connection with Claudia Jordan during that period.
Subsequently, Nelly embarked on a decade-long relationship with Ashanti, which reportedly ended due to his involvement with actress Leshontae Howard.
Nelly’s relationship with Leshontae overlapped with his time with Ashanti and lasted until 2014. Following this, he entered a seven-year relationship with Shantel Jackson, only announcing their breakup in the summer of 2021.
When asked on Instagram about their status, Jackson clarified that they were now just friends.
Nelly’s romantic journey has been marked by high-profile connections and, at times, public breakups, highlighting the complexities of life in the spotlight.
Jackson, in particular, had previously been in the public eye due to her breakup with boxing champion Floyd Mayweather.
Later, Nelly and Ashanti reconciled, and now they are expecting a child together.
Did your ship sink when you learned Nelly and Kelly were just friends? Or do you suspect that they had an affair but aren’t willing to admit it publicly?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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