Ashanti has shared her joy after being honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this week.
The R&B star, 41, was introduced by her long-standing collaborator Ja Rule, 46, and actor Tichina Arnold, 52, who she starred alongside on Broadway in The Wiz.
Ashanti told the crowds during the ceremony that she could not have achieved what she has without the support of her family: ‘We’ve all sacrificed so much, and I love you guys so much.
‘We’ve been through so many dark moments, so to be here today, celebrating life together as a family and as a unit, I’m just so grateful.’
The Grammy-winner held back tears as she thanked her team for ‘protecting me from all of the evil in this crazy industry’ and expanding her brand, adding: ‘We ain’t stoppin’ no time soon.’
Her mother and manager, Tina Douglas also joined her on stage with a souvenir Walk Of Fame star she had had made for Ashanti 20 years ago at one of the tourist stands.
She explained: ‘My mum’s first trip to LA, she walked on this very block and went into one of the souvenir stores back when I was actually mixing my album, Ashanti, right here in LA.
‘It was her first time. And she went in and bought one of the little fake Hollywood stars from the souvenir place.
‘And she got my name put on the star, and she came back and she was like, “You’re going to get one of these one day. You’re going to get one of these stars one day.”
‘So it is just so surreal that today I’m getting an actual star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, like with my name on it forever and ever for my kids and my kids’ kids’ kids to see.’
The New York-born star added: ‘You know, it’s so surreal. I’m so stunned. And I got to say, this is proof to everyone out there that dreams really do come true.’
Ashanti was discovered as a teenager before signing to Murder Inc Records in 2002. In the resulting 20 years, Ashanti has racked up eight Grammy nominations including one win, plus eight Billboard Music Awards and two American Music Awards.
She also earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest selling female debut album for her self-titled first record.
