Ashanti, the Grammy-award winning and multi-platinum queen of the 2000s, celebrates her 45th birthday today. With 6 studio albums, the “Foolish” singer has been making her cultural mark since 2002. And obviously, her impact doesn’t end in the early 2000s. More recently, she re-recorded her eponymous hit album, Ashanti, last year. She also crowned herself CEO of her new record label Written Entertainment.
In addition to the music she’s given us over the years, her beauty looks have always been on time, too. This includes everything from candid celebrity sightings to awards shows. In 2002, for example, Ashanti was spotted at the ESSENCE awards. She rocked a black silk press, which went well with pink gloss and wispy lashes. In 2005, at the Coach Carter premier, she was found with bouncy, golden waves and peachy, glowy makeup.
Fast forward to 2010, she turned heads with her cornrowed, mohawk look while walking a red carpet. And, in 2015? She pulled it all back with a high pony and a smokey eye for the 57th annual Grammy Awards. Later, in 2022, she brought back the nostalgia factor while visiting SiriusXM. Sleek locks with bumped ends and perfectly swooped baby hairs did the trick. In one of the star’s most recent looks, a sleek, romantic red was the moment at the 2025 American Black Film Festival.
Below, we take a look back at some of Ashanti’s most iconic beauty looks in honor of her 45th birthday.
“Coach Carter” Los Angeles Premiere – Arrivals
Ashanti wearing a Designs by GJ necklace. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage)
“Coach Carter” Los Angeles Premiere – Arrivals
Ashanti during “Coach Carter” Los Angeles Premiere – Arrivals at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by J. Merritt/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK -SEPTEMBER 24: Singer Ashanti guest hosts for a day during a live broadcast on Power 105.1 to celebrate her new album “Chapter II” at Planet Hollywood Times Square September 24, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
2002 Billboard Music Awards – Press Room
Ashanti during 2002 Billboard Music Awards – Press Room at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
2003 Much Music Video Awards
Ashanti during 2003 Much Music Video Awards in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2004 – Narciso Rodriguez – Front Row
Ashanti during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2004 – Narciso Rodriguez – Front Row at Gertrude Tent, Bryant Park in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by J. Vespa/WireImage)
31st Annual American Music Awards – Arrivals
Ashanti during 31st Annual American Music Awards – Arrivals at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
“Coach Carter” Los Angeles Premiere – Red Carpet
Ashanti during “Coach Carter” Los Angeles Premiere – Red Carpet at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Lee Celano/WireImage)
ASHANTI during PREMIERE OF “CAMP” at Zeigfeld Theater in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic)
VH1 Divas Duets: A Concert to Benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation – Arrivals
Ashanti during VH1 Divas Duets: A Concert to Benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation – Arrivals at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, CA, United States. (Photo by Bill Davila/FilmMagic)
BET Awards 2007 – Press Room
Ashanti, presenter during BET Awards 2007 – Press Room at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by M. Tran/FilmMagic)
Ashanti on the Set of Her Music Video for Happy
Ashanti during Ashanti on the Set of Her Music Video for “Happy”, United States. (Photo by Jeffrey Weiss/WireImage)
2003 MTV Video Music Awards – Arrivals
Ashanti during 2003 MTV Video Music Awards – Arrivals at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by RJ Capak/WireImage)
John Tucker Must Die Los Angeles Premiere – Arrivals
Nelly and Ashanti during “John Tucker Must Die” Los Angeles Premiere – Arrivals at Mann’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by J.Sciulli/WireImage)
The 45th Annual GRAMMY Awards – Press Room
Ashanti holds up her Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album for her album Ashanti,. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
World Music Awards 2002 – Press Room
Ashanti & Ja Rule during World Music Awards 2002 – Press Room at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Toni Anne Barson Archive/WireImage)
The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards – Red Carpet
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Recording artist Ashanti attends The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the STAPLES Center on February 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage)
2021 MTV Video Music Awards – Arrivals
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: Ashanti attends the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Celebrities Visit SiriusXM – December 13, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 13: Ashanti visits SiriusXM at SiriusXM Studios on December 13, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Celebrity Sightings – Bauer-Griffin – 2005
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 06: Ashanti is seen on December 06, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by BG042/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
“Coach Carter” Los Angeles Premiere – Arrivals
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 13: Ashanti poses for a portrait during the 2025 American Black Film Festival on June 13, 2025 at the New World Center in Miami, Florida. (Photo by J. Countess/Getty Images)
