Ashanti may have taken a step back from the music scene for a while, but the R&B diva has definitely had her hands full.
The 34-year-old star sat down with talk show host Meredith Vieira (airing tomorrow) to discuss two big things have affected her life recently—dealing with a longtime stalker and breaking up with fellow hip-hop performer Nelly.
"We were talking in the beginning of the show all you've been going through with this man, this stalker," Vieira began. "The way you've handled it to me is very impressive. This is a man, just to remind the audience, he started stalking you, your family really in 2003, 2009 he went to prison for a couple of years, has since come out and has continued the behavior."
Ashanti responded, "It's not fun, it's a little kooky. It's very annoying to continue to take off from what I have to do with work for court and stuff. I think we have to go back to court again this month and I am not thrilled at all."
Meredith also mentioned that Ashanti has had to face him in court, to which the singer noted, "I had to learn how to reserve myself because it's a lot of frustration. It's just not pleasant at all."
Regardless, Ashanti continues to deal with this unfortunate situation, and admits that when it comes to dealing with this stalker, she operates both out of both fear and empowerment.
"At this point you don't know how far someone will go. I have a mouth on me, if I say something a little crazy I don't know what's going to happen after that so just be strong and keep your composure," she says. "At the same time, again, I am very feisty so if things aren't going the right way I have something stay."
"It's having that kind of fortitude I think that helps you in those kind of situations," Meredith added. "You are not going to let the bastard get you is essentially what it is."
Yes! You tell 'em, girl!
Another big move in Ashanti's personal life was parting ways with her rapper beau after nearly 10 years of dating.
The duo called it quits last year, and while the nitty-gritty details behind their split were never really revealed, the singer explains to Vieira that it basically came down to trust.
"I think sometimes when people have their own insecurities it allows them to act out of character. I've been betrayed," she says. "Again, you just have to grow, you have to grow up and accept responsibilities for the things that you do. I'm not a big fan of people being cowards. I think it's really important to know yourself and understand what you want and get it. I'm in a different place right now."
Catch more from Ashanti and guest Michael Ealy on The Meredith Vieira Show tomorrow.