Who is Channetta Valentine? Meet Nelly’s ex-girlfriend and baby mama

Who is Channetta Valentine? Meet Nelly’s ex-girlfriend and baby mama

Channetta Valentine is best known as the ex-girlfriend of rapper Nelly and the mother of his two children. Despite her connection to the hip-hop star, she has largely remained out of the public eye.

Channetta Valentine, Nelly's baby mama
Channetta Valentine in December 2024 (L) and in February 2025 (R). Photos: @cvaljack (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • Channetta Valentine and Nelly dated between September 1990 and June 1999.
  • She keeps a low profile despite her past relationship with the famous rapper.
  • She shares two children with Nelly, a son and a daughter.

Profile summary

Full nameChannetta Valentine
Date of birth1976 (estimated)
Place of birthUnited States
Age49 (as of 2025)
NationalityAmerican
EthnicityAfrican-American
OccupationTravel Nurse
ChildrenChanelle Haynes, Cornell Haynes III
Known relationshipNelly (1990-1999)
Social mediaInstagram

Channetta Valentine's age

Although Channetta Valentine's exact birth date is not publicly documented, she is reportedly born in 1976. She is estimated to be approximately 49 years old (as of 2025). Her Instagram bio states that she works as a Travel Nurse.

Read also

Who is Kylie Minogue's husband? Details on her love life and dating history

When did Nelly and Channetta Valentine date?

According to The Sun, Channetta’s romance with Nelly started in September 1990, long before the rapper’s breakthrough with his 2000 album Country Grammar. Back then, Nelly was a young man from St. Louis, Missouri, adjusting to life after his parents' divorce.

Facts about Channetta Valentine
Channetta Valentine on November 21, 2022. Photo: @cvaljack (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Their relationship lasted nearly a decade, concluding in June 1999, right as Nelly’s career was about to skyrocket into mainstream fame. Very little is publicly known about their time together.

As Nelly rose to fame with hits like Hot in Herre and Dilemma, Channetta chose a more private life. In a rare moment of reflection on relationships—though not specifically about Channetta—Nelly shared with People in 2021:

Sometimes being separate, you understand one another more.

How many kids does Channetta Valentine have?

Channetta Valentine is the mother of two children, Chanelle Haynes and Cornell Haynes III, whom she shares with Nelly. Her firstborn, Chanelle, also known as Nana, was born in New Orleans on February 27, 1994.

Read also

How old is Doechii? Everything to know about the hip-hop sensation

Although she studied business at Columbia College in Chicago, she is pursuing a music career. Chanelle has a son named Ace.

Channetta Valentine with her grandson
Channetta Valentine with her grandson in November 2024 (L), and with her children in January 2021 (R). Photos: @cvaljack (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Cornell Haynes III was born on March 2, 1999, and is now 26 years old. He was a high school football player in his younger years.

FAQS

Was Channetta Valentine Nelly’s first wife?

Channetta Valentine was never Nelly's wife. Over the years, the rapper has been linked to several women, including Shantel Jackson, but he has only tied the knot with Ashanti.

How many kids does Nelly have?

According to Hello Magazine, Nelly has five children: two biological children with Channetta Valentine, two adopted from his late sister after her tragic passing from leukemia in 2005, and one with Ashanti.

Where is Channetta Valentine now?

Channetta Valentine has stayed out of the public eye, and there is little information regarding her current life. Unlike many celebrity ex-partners, she has not sought media attention or spoken publicly about her past relationship with Nelly.

Read also

Meet Chrisean Rock's son: everything to know about Chrisean Jesus Porter

Channetta Valentine with her daughter in September 2023
Channetta Valentine with her daughter in September 2023 (L), and with her cousin in March 2024 (R). Photos: @cvaljack (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Channetta Valentine may not be a public figure, but her role in Nelly’s life is undeniable as the mother of his two children. Though she was never Nelly’s wife, their relationship left a lasting impact on the rapper's personal life.

READ ALSO: The story behind Nelly's band-aid: Why did he wear a plaster?

Briefly published an article about Nelly's band-aid. Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and entrepreneur.

The hip-hop star has won various accolades throughout his career, including nine Billboard Music Awards. But besides his illustrious career, Iral’s nostalgic music videos feature him wearing a plaster on his left cheek. So, what was the mystery behind Nelly's band-aid?

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Kenneth Mwenda avatar

Kenneth Mwenda (Lifestyle writer) Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from The Cooperative University of Kenya in February 2022. Kenneth was a news and features writer for Constructionreviewonline.com. At Sportsbrief, he contributed to writing sports biographies and listicles. He joined Briefly in 2024. In 2023, Kenneth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Email: kelliesmwenda@gmail.com