Posted by Brooklyn, NY – SZA couldn’t help but fan-out when she spotted Ashanti at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday (September 12).
As Ashanti chatted with Entertainment Weekly on the VMAs red carpet at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center alongside former Murder Inc. labelmate Ja Rule, her interview was interrupted by SZA, who seized the opportunity to let the “Foolish” songstress know exactly how much she loves her music and what she meant to her growing up.
The Top Dawg Ent. chanteuse told Ashanti about the time she was around 12 years old and waited in line for hours at a Borders book store just to get her autograph.
“I had braces in and everything — I have a picture of us together — and your mom was like, ‘You’re so sweet!’” SZA recalled. “It was so amazing. I would wait a million years for you, for the rest of my life. You’re so amazing. You’re such a huge inspiration for me. You’re, like, perfect. You’ve been perfect my whole life – I don’t know what you’re doing!”
The R&B pair then shared a hug as Ashanti showed her appreciation and returned the compliment. “You are amazing,” she told SZA. “Thank you so much. That just made me feel so amazing.”
SZA also showed love to Ja Rule by telling him, “Same to you. You changed my life. I love y’all so much.”
Ashanti and Ja Rule forged a formidable partnership in the early ’00s with rap/R&B hits like “Always On Time,” “Mesmerize” and “Happy.”
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On Monday (September 13), Ashanti shared the wholesome video on her Instagram along with a touching message reciprocating SZA’s adoration.
“This was such an incredible moment last night,” Ashanti wrote as the caption. “We don’t see enough women empowerment.. Women camaraderie… Women showing women love. The perception is that women are so ‘Catty.’
“This genuinely made my heart smile and I can’t lie it made me a lil emotional…lol… @sza you are beautiful with a beautiful soul inside and out… and your Talent is Amazing. Love u too I’m a big fan as well.”
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Ja Rule and Fat Joe’s Verzuz battle at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night (September 14) was further proof of Ashanti’s prowess as she hit the stage to perform her respective collaborations with both rappers — while looking as stunning as ever.