Ashanti Talks About New Album And Movie Career

After a string of platinum albums, a trio of hit films, and a forthcoming project that may prove to be the opening salvo of a remarkable second act, Ashanti’s savvy has proven to be a gift. She knew enough to wait for the right films, the right time to make her return to recording, and the right time to (perhaps?) say ‘I do.’ When you’ve accomplished that much by the ripe old age of 26, and to have done it her way, it’s almost quaint to hear Ashanti express genuine love for her fans’ continued support of her. That love remains her biggest motivator. “To have people appreciate a record or to have someone say, ‘Thank you for writing ‘Rain On Me’ – it helped me to leave my boyfriend because he was beating me’ – that makes me proud,” she says. “To [hear] ‘Wow, she did her thing in Coach Carter, I didn’t know she had talent like that,’ that’s a proud moment for me.” And those moments are all the gratification the zombie-killing Princess of R&B needs. “I’m humble pie,” she says, laughing. “When you give me my kudos, I’m good!”