Ashanti Lives Her ‘Dream’ as She Receives Megastar on Hollywood Stroll of Popularity

R&B star Ashanti used to be officially honored with a superstar on the Hollywood Stroll of Popularity on Thursday morning (April 7) — a feat her mother, eminent momager Tina Douglas, predicted decades within the past.

“It’s surreal,” Ashanti told Billboard, moments after unveiling her star and taking photography with longtime mates and collaborators Tichina Arnold and Ja Rule. “I’m skittish, paralyzed and over the tip grateful. That is a staple in my career and the fact that this can also be right here forever is a massive deal.”

The historic honor comes 20 years after the liberate of Ashanti’s self-titled debut studio album, which premiered at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and charted for 55 weeks. The Grammy-winner and actress has since launched 18 Hot 100 tracks, collectively with two No. 1 hits.

“I’m no longer a massive emotional person, so the fact that I cried a minute bit bit this present day is a minute bit irregular for me,” Ashanti said with fun. “I’m so humbled and intensely glad to enjoy mates, family and true folks right here supporting me that I take care of.”

As well to Arnold and Ja Rule, Ashanti used to be surrounded by her fogeys, Tina and Ken-Kaide Thomas Douglas, sister Kenashia Douglas, Lupita Cornejo, Simone Smith, her personnel, many relatives and fans. All of whom she thanked all the diagram through her acceptance speech, naming her fogeys as her lifeline and family as her basis.

“The indisputable truth that my mother spoke this into existence is surreal,” the star defined. “She surely had that feeling as a mother to instruct, ‘My minute one is gonna rep this.’ She manifested it and I’m forever grateful.”

Previously, Ashanti’s mother showed onlookers a photo of the star she had at the birth created for her daughter. “I didn’t know she aloof has that star,” Ashanti said proudly.

“I’m grateful to the [Hollywood Chamber of Commerce] for doing this because as artists, we put so great into it, so many sacrifices, to be succesful to surely feel take care of we’re being rewarded with something that [lasts] forever is an honor.”

As for having the toughen of her eminent mates Arnold and Ja Rule, Ashanti told Billboard, “These are my folks. Ja is my brother, we’ve made history collectively and it wouldn’t be the same without him.”

The pair’s 2001 track “Consistently On Time” turned into a No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit and charted for 27 weeks.

Ashanti and Arnold first bonded whereas performing collectively on The Wiz. “With Tichina, it used to be so indispensable to enjoy a Unlit girl representing and persevering with that memoir of females empowerment.”

After Ashanti’s star ceremony, family and mates joined her for an intimate, lavish lunch at Tatel Beverly Hills, offered by PrettyLittleThing, where many shared heartfelt phrases about the Billboard Track Award-winner — and hilarious tales.

After listening to the kind phrases and fun reminiscences, Ashanti shared a message of her non-public. “My family has been my backbone from the inspiration. I didn’t rep up and verbalize ‘I wanna be a superstar or singer,’ it came about unintentionally. But being in this industry for so decades has taught me so great.”

She went on to thank God and her supporters as she hasty turned into emotional again. “I’ve had deal of folks betray and stab me and I’ve been naive, to be succesful to be right here taking half in this 2d, I treasure you for believing in me.”

“Without the machine within the abet of me, I could well well no longer be right here,” Ashanti persisted. “I’m ready to live out my dream. This star symbolizes that I kinda did something sexy.”

Gaze Ashanti’s Hollywood Stroll of Popularity Megastar Ceremony beneath: