Ashanti Carries a Purse with Nelly's Face on It to Confirm Their Rekindled Romance at 2023 VMAs

The couple, whose chemistry tracks back to the early 2000s, have officially reignited their flame

Ashanti let her fashion choices do the talking at the 2023 MTV VMAs.

Amongst the sizzling — and naked — red carpet looks of the night, it was the "Only U" singer's that made the loudest statement, as it confirmed her rekindled relationship with former flame Nelly.

Ashanti, 42, arrived at the ceremony carrying a personalized clutch bag printed with a 20-year-old photo of her and the "Ride Wit Me" rapper, 48.

"We're in a great space, everything is positive, we're having a lot of fun," she told PEOPLE exclusively on the carpet.

When asked if fans could expect another collaboration from the two, she squeezed in a "Maybe!" while being led through the crowd.

Though the accessory drew lots of chatter, her sequined gown also deserved praise, especially with its bra cups shaped like turtles.

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Nelly and Ashanti reunited last December for a steamy performance at the Power 98.3 and 96.1's Under the Mistletoe concert in Arizona, which prompted Ashanti to share that they were in a "better place."

The on-again, off-again pair began fueling romance rumors this year, a decade after their 2013 breakup.

Check out PEOPLE's full MTV VMAs coverage to get the latest news on music’s big night.

In April, the musicians were spotted in Las Vegas watching the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia boxing match and looking cozy seated ringside next to each other. And later, they were seen holding hands.

Shortly after, a source close to Nelly and Ashanti told PEOPLE that the then-exes "have been touring and performing together and just hanging." In June, they publicly posed together with their arms around each other at a red carpet event.

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Ashanti and Nelly's romance has long been something of a mystery, as well as a source of gossip for fans, as both have played coy in the press over the years whether they are actually together or just friends.

Ashanti confirmed to PEOPLE in 2005 that they "went out," but said they were "not boyfriend and girlfriend" — though three years later, she teased that an engagement was "definitely in the future."

Related: Ashanti and Nelly Have Glam Night Out as Romance Reconciliation Rumors Continue

In 2013, she laughed off questions about the rapper in a Hot 97 interview, jokingly asking, "Who said we had a relationship?"

In 2014, Ashanti admitted that Nelly was her first real love in an interview with Sway in the Morning, and later told Hot 97 that there was "no beef" between the two.

The 2023 MTV VMAs are airing live from The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Tuesday, Sept. 12 on CBS and BET, BET Her, VH1, Comedy Central, CMT, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon and Paramount Network. Viewers can also catch the show through an MTV.com live stream or on Paramount+.

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