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There’s something so fascinating about old, industry tea. Before the age of social media, there was only rumors. It wasn’t often that we got to see the madness and mess involved in our favorite celebrities lives. But things have changed now. And while some people will take scandals to the grave, some of them have been gracious enough to share, including music mogul Irv Gotti.
On “Growing Up Hip Hop,” Gotti shared the details behind his relationship with singer Ashanti. Today, he appeared on “The Wendy Williams Show” to explain why Ashanti didn’t ruin his marriage and he clarified his comments about her role in his life. See what he had to say below.
Wendy: We talked about you the other day on Hot Topics.
Irv Gotti: My phone completely blew up, which prompted me to text Wendy, like let me tell what’s really going on so everyone can know and understand because there’s a lot of misconceptions going on.
Wendy: We were talking, finally, about the affair Irv had with Ashanti.
Irv: Wendy is a veteran, now seasoned and polished. But back in the day when she was doing radio, Wendy was aggressive.
He explained that when he visited her radio station, she accused him of sleeping with Ashanti. Irv didn’t address her accusation either way. But it was reported as if it was true.
Wendy: You loved her. You were separated from your wife Deb…
Irv: Why is it if a man and woman who’s married and they get separated and they’re totally separated, it’s not like I’m going back to Deb and I’m doing what I’m doing. When me and Deb separated—she caught me cheating…
Wendy: With Ashanti.
Irv: No! This is why I’m here. Ashanti’s not a homewrecker guys. Ashanti had nothing to do with me and Deb. I’m going to explain and I’m a truthful guy. Deb caught me when I was directing “I Cry” in Baltimore. Deb being the vicious person she is. she came down and said, ‘I’m Mrs. Lorenzo, give me the room key.’ The door was latched but she knows I’m in there. That’s what broke me and Deb up.
Just so you know the timeline. Ashanti wasn’t even in the picture.
Wendy: You were there with two of your three children and you said she was just there to service your member.
Irv: No, no. Now, let me explain that. First off, when you hear me talk like that in front of my kids, this isn’t new to them. They know I’m crazy. And they accept me and love me but I don’t want to lie to my kids. I’m a public figure. They’re going to hear all of this stuff. They can hear it from dad. Yeah, I’m wild. I want to clear this up. You see a reality tv show, they edit things. So they make it seem like I was talking about Ashanti when I said that. I wasn’t! I wasn’t! It was a reality show. And I’m in tv so I get it.
Why is it when a man and women get married and they are separated, they not going to be together, they’re not staying together, I can’t mess with other girls until I sign divorce papers? Why?! Why?!
Wendy: Yes, you can. I want to bring it back to Wendy. You ain’t get a divorce yet but I see you swerving.
Irv: And when I seen Wendy, I was like ‘Good for you.’
Wendy: When’s the last time you spoke with Ashanti?
Irv: We don’t speak. I’d talk to her. It’s nothing to me.
What they didn’t go to during the segment was the reason why the two fell out but Irv did mention that he can’t forget the people in his life who didn’t show up for him.
