Ashanti (singer)
Template:Short description Template:Pp Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox musical artist
Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas (born October 13, 1980) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She was discovered as a teenager by record producer Irv Gotti, and signed with his label Murder Inc. Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings in 2002.<ref name=":0" /> That same year, Ashanti guest appeared on the singles "What's Luv?" by Fat Joe, and "Always on Time" by Ja Rule, which peaked at numbers two and one on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively; the latter, with her 2002 debut single "Foolish", made her the first female artist to occupy the top two positions the chart simultaneously.Template:Efn
"Foolish" served as lead single for Ashanti's eponymous debut album (2002). Despite mixed reviews, it debuted atop the Billboard 200, received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), won Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards, and spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top 40 singles "Happy" and "Baby".<ref name=":3" /> She then co-wrote and provided background vocals for Jennifer Lopez's 2002 single "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)", which peaked the Billboard Hot 100.<ref name="Ashanti Biography">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Her second album, Chapter II (2003), became her second to peak the Billboard 200 and received platinum certification by the RIAA.<ref name=":1" /> It received three nominations at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards, while its lead singles, "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)" and "Rain on Me", peaked at numbers two and seven on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. Her third album, Ashanti's Christmas, was released that same year as a Christmas album; it was met with a steep critical and commercial decline.
Ashanti's fourth album, Concrete Rose (2004), debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 despite mixed critical response. Its lead single, "Only U", peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the UK Singles Chart—her most successful song in that country. Its second single, "Don't Let Them", saw limited success due to Def Jam's legal issues with Murder Inc. label head Irv Gotti.<ref name="Wilson 2005">Template:Cite news</ref> Her fifth album, The Declaration (2008), was met with moderate reception and became her final release on a major label; her sixth album, Braveheart (2014), was released independently. Ashanti has sold nearly 30 million records worldwide.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Ashanti has acted in several productions, debuting in the film Coach Carter and starring in the TV special The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (both 2005), the latter of which attracted nearly eight million viewers.<ref name="viewing">"Weekly Program Rankings." Template:Webarchive ABC Medianet, May 24, 2005. Retrieved: October 22, 2008.</ref> She also appeared in John Tucker Must Die (2006) and Resident Evil: Extinction (2007).<ref name=":4">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Early life
Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas<ref>Template:Cite journalTemplate:Dead link</ref> was born on October 13, 1980,<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref> in Glen Cove, New York.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Her mother, Tina Douglas, is African American and a former dance teacher. Her father, Ken-Kaide Thomas Douglas, is also African American and a former singer. She is the oldest of her parents' children, with a younger sister named Kenashia "Shia" Douglas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ashanti's mother named her after the Ashanti Empire in Ghana; in this nation, women had power and influence, and Tina wanted Ashanti to follow that model.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Her grandfather, James, was a civil rights activist who was associated with Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Ashanti's mother discovered her full singing potential when she overheard Ashanti singing Mary J. Blige's "Reminisce" at age 12 (after the song was released on Ashanti's birthday).<ref>Reidand, Shaheem, Waller, Curtis, and Wilkinson, Peter. "Ashanti: My Sacrifice" Template:Webarchive. MTV.com. April 2, 2002. Retrieved May 30, 2007.</ref> While attending high school,<ref name="Kugel">Template:Cite news</ref> Ashanti began to write songs. As a teenager, she performed in a local talent show and at several small festivals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She got her first taste of acting as a child extra in Spike Lee's Malcolm X (1992) and in Ted Demme's Who's the Man?.<ref>Birchmeier, Jason. "Ashanti Biography" Template:Webarchive. AOL.com. Retrieved April 12, 2007.</ref> She also had a couple of minor appearances in music videos, such as KRS-One's "MC's Act Like They Don't Know" as well as 8-Off's "Ghetto Girl".<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
Ashanti struggled to find success as a singer after being courted by several record labels, including Bad Boy and Jive. Despite this, she continued to perform in and around New York and began hanging out at the Murder Inc. recording studio, hoping for a big break.<ref name=":0">OnTV Shows | myLifetime.com Template:Webarchive</ref>
Career
2001–2003: Ashanti, Chapter II and Ashanti's Christmas
Ashanti was first noticed by Irv Gotti because of her vocal skills.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He asked her to pen hooks for his rap artists and to perform with them in duets. Ashanti provided the melodic response to their call. Ashanti was first featured as a background vocalist on rapper Big Pun's song "How We Roll". In the same year, Ashanti was featured on fellow labelmate Cadillac Tah's singles "Pov City Anthem" and "Just Like a Thug". She also appeared on the 2001 The Fast and the Furious soundtrack as a featured artist on Vita's 2001 hip hop remake of Madonna's "Justify My Love" and on the solo track "When a Man Does Wrong". She was then featured on Fat Joe's "What's Luv?" and Ja Rule's "Always on Time". "What's Luv?" and "Always on Time" were released simultaneously and became two of the biggest hit songs of 2002. Ashanti became the first woman to occupy the top two positions on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously when "Always on Time" and "What's Luv?" were at numbers one and two, respectively.
Following the success of her collaborations with Ja Rule and Fat Joe, Ashanti released her debut single, "Foolish", which contains a sample of the 1983 song "Stay with Me" by DeBarge (also used by The Notorious B.I.G. in his 1995 single "One More Chance", and by Big L in "MVP"). This is her biggest success to date, spending ten weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. She became the second artist (after The Beatles) to have their first three chart entries in the top ten of the Hot 100 simultaneously. Ashanti's self-titled debut album, Ashanti, was released on Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. record label in April 2002. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart. The album has been certified triple platinum in the United States and sold six million copies worldwide.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite news</ref> Ashanti wrote the album's twelve tracks, most of which were written on the spot in the studio. Ashanti's follow-up singles, "Happy" and "Baby", were not as successful as her debut single but peaked inside the top ten and top twenty in the U.S., respectively. Ashanti's debut album earned her many awards, including eight Billboard Music Awards, two American Music Awards, and a Grammy Award in 2003 for Best Contemporary R&B Album. Ashanti was the first artist to win Best Contemporary R&B Album before the category was last awarded in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She was nominated as Best New Artist and "Foolish" was nominated in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category. She also received a Comet Award and two Soul Train Music Awards that same year.
Ashanti became the subject of controversy when it was announced that she would receive the Soul Train Aretha Franklin Award for "Entertainer of the Year". A high school student took offense and started an online petition against her, explaining to The Seattle Times that she was too new to deserve the award. Nearly 30,000 people agreed with him, signing the petition.<ref>"Ashanti accepts Lady of Soul award" Template:Webarchive</ref> Many said that established artists such as Mary J. Blige and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott or critically acclaimed singers like Alicia Keys and India Arie were more deserving of an award that carries the name of a musical legend. Despite the petition, the Soul Train committee and Don Cornelius stuck by their decision. Ashanti was applauded by her musical peers as she entered the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to accept her award and she was supported onstage by Patti LaBelle, who stated "she's a baby and we have to support our babies."<ref>"Ashanti "Intimate Portrait" Interview Part 3"</ref><ref>Ryan, Joal. "Soul Train Untracked?" Template:Webarchive. E!Online.com. August 20, 2002. Retrieved May 29, 2007.</ref>
Just before the release of her second album, Ashanti headlined VH1 Divas Duets alongside Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Beyoncé, and Lisa Marie Presley. During the concert, she performed duets with the Isley Brothers and Stevie Wonder and participated in the all-star finale performance of Wonder's "Higher Ground."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In July 2003, Ashanti released her second album, Chapter II, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 326,000 copies in the U.S. The album went platinum, selling over 1.5 a million copies in the U.S.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> Chapter II's first single, "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)", became a hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Its video, which showed Ashanti in a bikini frolicking on a beach and riding an elephant, was nominated for two 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. A remix of the song contains interpolations of Michael Jackson's "Rock with You". The second single, "Rain on Me", reached the number seven spot on the Hot 100 and number two on the Hot 100 R&B Songs chart. Chapter II was nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)" and "Rain on Me" were nominated in the categories of Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, respectively. In the "Rain on Me," mini-movie music video—directed by Hype Williams and co-starring Larenz Tate—Ashanti portrays a troubled young woman in an abusive relationship. She received a Lifetime Channel Achievement Award for her message speaking out against domestic violence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same year, she began dating rapper Nelly.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>
In November 2003, Ashanti released a Christmas album titled Ashanti's Christmas. It contained 10 Christmas songs and was a modest commercial success and sold just around 100,000 units in the U.S.Template:Citation needed The album peaked at No. 160 in the Billboard charts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2004–2007: Concrete Rose, Collectibles by Ashanti and acting
Before Concrete Rose was released, Ashanti did some major promotion for her single "Only U", when she premiered it at the 2004 Vibe Music Awards. She featured on "Wonderful"—with Ja Rule and R. Kelly—that year, which peaked at number five in the U.S. and at number one in the UK. In December 2004, Ashanti released her third studio album, Concrete Rose, the title of which took on Tupac Shakur's pseudonym "The Rose That Grew from Concrete". The album debuted at number seven in the U.S., with first-week sales of 254,000 copies, and eventually became her third platinum-certified album. The first single, "Only U", reached number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her biggest hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number two. A second single, the ballad "Don't Let Them", garnered little chart success after Def Jam refused to fund a music video due to Irv Gotti's legal troubles during his money laundering trial.<ref name="Wilson 2005" /> The single was released only in the U.S., where it failed to chart, and the UK, where it reached the lower end of the top forty. After the release of Concrete Rose, Ashanti released the DVD Ashanti: The Making of a Star, which was available only for a limited time. The deluxe DVD includes an exclusive photo and video shoot footage, music from the albums Ashanti, Chapter II and Concrete Rose, special concert footage, unreleased childhood school performances, and behind-the-scenes interviews with family, friends, and fans.
In 2005, Ashanti focused more on her acting career, making her feature film acting debut in the film Coach Carter alongside Samuel L. Jackson, as well as starring as Dorothy Gale in the made-for-television film The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, which pulled in nearly 8 million viewers when it premiered. She sang "When I'm with You" for the film which was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in the Outstanding Music and Lyrics category.<ref name="emmy">"The Muppets' Wizard of Oz nominated for Primetime Emmy." Emmy Awards. Retrieved: March 27, 2008.</ref> In Coach Carter, she played a pregnant teenager named Kyra who has to decide whether or not to abort her unborn child. The movie opened at number-one at the U.S. box office, eventually grossing $67 million domestically.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later in 2005, Ashanti was invited to Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball, which honored some of the most influential and legendary African American women of the twentieth century in the fields of art, entertainment, and civil rights. In December 2005, Ashanti released a remix album of Concrete Rose titled Collectables by Ashanti. The album was an opportunity for her to fulfill her contract with Def Jam (and have the option of working with another label). It did not fare well on the charts.
In 2006, she starred in the teen comedy John Tucker Must Die, which opened and peaked at number three at the U.S. box office (competing with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Miami Vice) and grossed $68,818,076 worldwide.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2007, she played a supporting role in the action film Resident Evil: Extinction (2007).<ref name=":4" />
2008–2010: The Declaration, departure from The Inc. and The Wiz
Her fourth studio album, The Declaration, was released on June 3, 2008,<ref name=RapUp>Template:Cite web</ref> and sold 86,000 units its first week of release, which were the lowest first-week sales for any of Ashanti's studio albums. In mid-2007, MTV News reported that the first single from The Declaration was "Switch",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which was produced by Shy Carter and released digitally in the United States on July 24, 2007. It was later reported that "Switch" may not be included on the album's track listing, and that the first single would be "Hey Baby (After the Club)" it was released to radio and digital outlets on October 16. The song, which does not appear on the U.S. editions of the album, peaked at number eighty-seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "The Way That I Love You", was released to radio and digital outlets in January 2008, and was referred to as the "first single" in press material and media reports.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
It reached number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Ashanti's first song to reach the top forty since "Only U" in 2004. "Body On Me" was recorded not only for Ashanti's The Declaration, but also for Nelly's fifth studio album Brass Knuckles. The track is produced by Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort. It went to number one on Billboard's Hot Videoclip Tracks chart in its first week, becoming the first number-one single from Nelly's album."Good Good" was released to urban radio stations on July 16, 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The song contains elements of Elton John's 1974 single "Bennie and the Jets", and has the same melody arrangement as Michael Jackson's "The Girl Is Mine". In July 2008, Ashanti was named an ambassador of tourism for Nassau County, Long Island.
In May 2009, Irv Gotti announced that he was officially releasing Ashanti from The Inc. Records,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> stating that "The relationship has run its course. The chemistry of what's needed — we're in two totally different places. You're talking to somebody that took her and shaped and molded her and put her out there for the world, and it blew up. We [hold the record] for the [fastest] selling debut by a female R&B artist — 503 [thousand]. We did it! My views and philosophies and her views and philosophies are not meeting up." Gotti also admitted that he and Ashanti have not spoken to each other in a long time. A representative for Ashanti did not respond. On September 24, 2009, Ashanti announced her fifth studio album would be released from her new label, Written Entertainment.
Ashanti headlined the cast of The Wiz in the New York City Center Encores! Summer Stars staging from June 12 to July 5, 2009.<ref>"Ashanti set to make her stage debut in 'The Wiz'"Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore Associated Press April 29, 2009</ref> Ashanti's role as Dorothy has since received mixed reviews from critics as most praised her vocals but was less pleased with her acting ability. BET and Entertainment Weekly both praised the singer's performance<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> as The New York Post and New York Times gave lukewarm reviews. Though the first night was sold out, some of the other shows were unable to follow its success.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 27, 2008, Ashanti took part in The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken, a one night only concert to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Wicked, featuring songs written by Stephen Schwartz, that were cut from the show.
2011–2014: Hiatus and Braveheart
After a four-year hiatus, Ashanti released the song "Never Too Far Away", which was featured in Morgan Creek's film Dream House starring Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz with Naomi Watts. The lead single from her fifth studio album, "The Woman You Love" featuring American rapper Busta Rhymes, was released online on December 15, 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ashanti teamed up with Meek Mill and French Montana for the second single "No One Greater", which was produced by 7 Aurelius, Irv Gotti and Chink Santana. In April 2013, she released another single called "Never Should Have",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which later won "Best Independent R&B/Soul Performance" at the 2013 Soul Train Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A music video for the track was also released.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In November 2012, it was reported that she had landed her first series regular role in the seventh season of Army Wives, playing Latasha Montclair.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The series was canceled on September 24, 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the fall of 2013, she appeared in a guest spot on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit alongside Clay Aiken and Taylor Hicks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She also starred in the Lifetime film Christmas in the City which premiered on December 7, 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In August 2013, Ashanti announced her plans to once again work with Ja Rule, who'd been released from prison in July of that year following a six-year sentence stemming from a gun charge.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On January 8, 2014, she revealed the official cover art and release date for Braveheart, her fifth album, which was released on March 4, 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In January 2014, Ashanti shot the video for the official first single from Braveheart titled "I Got It" featuring Rick Ross. The video was shot in Miami, Florida, and was directed by Eif Rivera.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In July, Ashanti announced that the second official single from BraveHeart would be "Early in the Morning" featuring French Montana.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Upon release, the album garnered favorable reviews, with music critics describing Braveheart's sound as an "evolution of R&B" and praising the themes of empowerment but criticizing the romantic clichés and lack of interesting moments on the album. On the charts, Braveheart opened at number ten in the U.S. Billboard 200, becoming Ashanti's fifth consecutive top-ten album, as well as her first Independent Albums chart-topper. It also debuted in the top thirty of the UK R&B Albums Chart and top-forty of the UK Indie Albums Chart.
2015–present: Collaborations
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In 2015, she announced that she had worked on new music for her seventh album, with an unknown release date. Ashanti collaborated with Michelle Obama for her #Let'sMove campaign to spread awareness of drinking water with her new video and song "Let's Go" released in 2015.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> In 2016, she collaborated on the song "Seven Day Love" included in the album "Inzombia" by Canadian singer Belly.<ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Template:CitationTemplate:Cbignore</ref> She has also worked with numerous artists, including Sia, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Queen Latifah, Usher and Kelly Clarkson to interpret the songs of the Broadway musical "Hamilton" for the compilation "The Hamilton Mixtape".<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
In 2017, Ashanti announced her seventh studio album, revealing it would be released in 2018. She denied this in June 2018, confirming the future release of an album in collaboration with rapper Ja Rule.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Between 2017 and 2018 she returned to the music scene with several collaborations including the single "Say Less" with Ty Dolla Sign, the track "The Road" by Machel Montano, and the song "Start This Shit Off Right" with Mack Maine, from the album "Tha Carter V" by Lil Wayne.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Ashanti released the collaboration "Pretty Little Thing" with Afro B in August 2019.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Template:CitationTemplate:Cbignore</ref> She was also featured on the soundtrack of the film Stuck, which she produced.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> In November 2019, Ashanti guest-starred as herself in two episodes of the third season of The CW's Dynasty reboot: "Mother, I'm At La Mirage" and "Something Desperate".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In January 2021, Ashanti released her single "2:35 (I Want You)".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 10, 2022, Ashanti's single "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)" was heavily sampled for British rapper Aitch's single "Baby".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October 2022, Ashanti was featured on Diddy’s “Gotta Move On” remix which also features Bryson Tiller and Yung Miami.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In February 2024, she was featured on Jermaine Dupri's single "This Lil' Game We Play" alongside Nelly and Juicy J.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Artistry
Ashanti has a lyric soprano voice type.<ref name="Ashanti Album Review">Template:Cite web</ref> Critics have referred to her voice as "pretty" and her soprano as "sultry" and "sweet but slight".<ref name="Ashanti Album Review" /><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Jason Birchmeier of AllMusic noted her reputation for using her "swooning voice" in duets with Big Pun, Fat Joe, and Ja Rule.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As a young girl, Ashanti was influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Prince, and Tupac Shakur, but she cites Mary J. Blige as the main reason she wanted to pursue a singing career. Further musical influences include Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Smokey Robinson, Donna Summer, and Blue Magic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Ashanti">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Hip-Hop Princess Lives the Dream">Template:Cite web</ref>
Philanthropy
In 2003, Ashanti partnered with LidRock and the San Francisco-based Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to distribute the "Rain on Me" mini-movie using LidRock's unique platform. Proceeds from the $5 mini-disc went towards helping to stop domestic violence. Ashanti also recorded a public service announcement that appeared in more than 4,000 film screens and reached millions of people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ashanti also gives back by raising money for sickle cell research and she is active in helping the Make-A-Wish Foundation stating, "I'll go and do just about anything for them."<ref name="parade">Brady, James. "In Step With Ashanti" Template:Webarchive. Parade. July 23, 2006. Retrieved May 30, 2007.</ref> In 2005, Ashanti helped by recording public service announcement and raising money for the Southeast Asia tsunami disaster.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later that year, she helped raise money for the Hurricane Katrina victims and storm evacuees.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In November 2009, Ashanti joined the crew of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. In the episode, which aired on January 24, 2010, the singer assisted in the rebuilding of the Powell Family home in Buffalo, New York. The efforts from the show expanded significantly to include not just the family home but the entire neighborhood surrounding it. In 2013, Ashanti featured on the 19-track compilation album Songs for a Healthier America, a collaborative project by the Partnership for a Healthier America, whose honorary chair is Michelle Obama, and Hip Hop Public Health. Her song "Just Believe" also featured Artie Green, Gerry Gunn, Robbie Nova and Chauncey Hawkins. Additionally, she is affiliated with the Jumpstart reading program, the Tupperware Brand and the Boys and Girls Club of America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personal life
Ashanti dated Nelly from 2003 to 2013 after meeting at the 2003 Grammy Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The two began dating again in 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In December 2023, it was reported that the couple were expecting their first child together and had married on December 27, 2023.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In April 2024, Ashanti confirmed her pregnancy and the couple's engagement in Essence magazine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 18, 2024, the couple welcomed their first child.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2025, she and Nelly began starring in their own reality series, Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Discography
- Studio albums
- Ashanti (2002)
- Chapter II (2003)
- Ashanti's Christmas (2003)
- Concrete Rose (2004)
- The Declaration (2008)
- Braveheart (2014)
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Malcolm X | Student in Harlem Classroom | |
| 1993 | Who's the Man? | Kid No. 4 | |
| 1997 | Bouge! | Rudy | |
| 2004 | Bride and Prejudice | Herself | |
| 2005 | Coach Carter | Kyra | |
| The Muppets' Wizard of Oz | Dorothy Gale | TV movie | |
| 2006 | John Tucker Must Die | Heather | |
| 2007 | Resident Evil: Extinction | Betty | |
| 2013 | Christmas in the City | Teanna Musk | TV movie |
| 2014 | Mutant World | The Preacher | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2016 | Mothers and Daughters | Kelly | |
| 2017 | Stuck | Eve | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2019 | Winter Song | Clio | |
| 2021 | Honey Girls | Fancy G | |
| 2022 | A New Diva’s Christmas Carol | Aphrodite | TV movie |
| 2023 | The Plus One | Lizzie Anders | |
| 2025 | No Address | Violet |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Disneyland | Herself/Child Dancer | Episode: "Polly" |
| 2001 | Saturday Night Live | Herself | Episode: "John Goodman/Ja Rule" |
| 2002–05 | Top of the Pops | Herself | Recurring Guest |
| 2002 | The Saturday Show | Herself | Episode: "Episode #1.41" & "#1.54" |
| Diary | Herself | Episode: "Ashanti: Princess of Her Domain" | |
| Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Herself | Episode: "Call Me Crazy" | |
| American Dreams | Dionne Warwick | Episode: "Silent Night" | |
| 2003 | Punk'd | Herself | Episode: "Episode #2.4" |
| Intimate Portrait | Herself | Episode: "Ashanti" | |
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Lissa | Episode: "First Date" | |
| The Proud Family | Randi (voice) | Episode: "It Takes a Thief" | |
| 2004 | Driven | Herself | Episode: "Episode #3.1" |
| Style Star | Herself | Episode: "Ashanti" | |
| 2005 | Las Vegas | Herself | Episode: "Magic Carpet Fred" |
| 2006 | TV Land's Top Ten | Herself | Episode: "Top Ten Musical Moments" |
| Access Granted | Herself | Episode: "2Pac ft. T.I. & Ashanti 'Pac's Life'" | |
| 2007 | HypaSpace | Herself | Episode: "Episode #6.186" |
| 2009 | Access Granted | Herself | Episode: "Plies Feat. Ashanti: Want It, Need It" |
| 2010 | The Biggest Loser | Herself | Episode: "Episode #9.16" |
| 2013 | The Chew | Herself | Episode: "Camp Chew" |
| Army Wives | Latasha Montclair | Main Cast: Season 7 | |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Herself | Episode: "Dissonant Voices" | |
| 2014 | The View | Herself/Guest Co-Host | Episode: "Episode #18.43" & "#18.62" |
| 2015 | The Meredith Vieira Show | Herself/Panelist | Episode: "Episode #1.63" |
| Unforgettable | Stella | Episode: "Behind the Beat" | |
| 2016 | The Real | Herself/Guest Co-Host | Recurring Guest Co-Host: Season 3 |
| 2018 | Amazingness | Herself | Episode: "Episode #1.8" |
| RuPaul's Drag Race | Herself/Guest Judge | Episode: "Evil Twins" | |
| Steve | Herself/Panelist | Episode: "Episode #1.100" & "#1.159" | |
| Feed Me TV | Herself | Episode: "Ashanti Digs In" | |
| 2019 | Unsung | Herself | Episode: "Lloyd" |
| Dynasty | Herself | Episode: "Mother? I'm at La Mirage" | |
| 2020 | To Tell the Truth | Herself/Panelist | Episode: "Ashanti, Gary Cole, Michael Ealy, Sherri Shepherd" |
| Love & Listings | Herself | Recurring Cast: Season 2 | |
| 2021 | The $100,000 Pyramid | Herself/Celebrity Player | Episode: "Ana Gasteyer vs. Luke Kirby and Ashanti vs. Clay Aiken" |
| 2022 | I Can See Your Voice | Herself | Episode: "Episode #2.4" |
| Supreme Team | Herself | Episode: "Truth & Consequences" | |
| 2025 | Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together | Herself | Main Cast |
Theater
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Wiz | Dorothy |
See also
Notes
<references group="lower-alpha" />
References
Other sources
External links
- Template:Official website
- Template:Discogs artist
- Template:MusicBrainz artist
- Template:IMDb name
- Template:IBDB name
- Ashanti (singer)
- 1980 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American actresses
- 21st-century American singer-songwriters
- 21st-century American women singers
- 21st-century American dancers
- 21st-century African-American singers
- 21st-century African-American women singers
- Actresses from New York (state)
- 21st-century African-American actresses
- African-American female dancers
- African-American female models
- African-American record producers
- African-American women singer-songwriters
- American contemporary R&B singers
- American female dancers
- American film actresses
- American philanthropists
- American sopranos
- American television actresses
- American women pop singers
- American women record producers
- American women singer-songwriters
- Dancers from New York (state)
- Def Jam Recordings artists
- Epic Records artists
- Female models from New York (state)
- Glen Cove High School alumni
- Grammy Award winners
- Murder Inc. Records artists
- People from Glen Cove, New York
- People from Old Westbury, New York
- People from Roslyn, New York
- Record producers from New York (state)
- Singer-songwriters from New York (state)
- Universal Motown Records artists