Ashanti Tests Positive for COVID-19 Ahead of Verzuz Battle with Keyshia Cole
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Rain, Hail, Sleet Or Snow Won't Stop Ashanti & Keyshia Cole's Rescheduled 'Verzuz' Battle
The R&B battle between the two talents is set for Thursday, January 21.
Following two attempts at rescheduling the Verzuz battle between Keyshia Cole and Ashanti, the event has now received its final date. The new date has been set for Thursday, January 21, the day after Joe Biden’s inauguration.
The exciting news was announced on the official Verzuz Instagram account. “RAIN, SLEET, HAIL, SNOW LET'S GO ... Join us Thursday, January 21st as we kick off the first #VERZUZ of 2021 with @Ashanti and @KeyshiaCole,” the post read. “Thank you everyone for being patient with us. We can't wait for this magical night with Keyshia and Ashanti!”
Initially, the two R&B singers were set to face off on December 12. But, that same day Ashanti tested positive for COVID-19 and the date was scrapped. A beautiful moment that came out of that cancellation was an Instagram Live conversation between them both.
During the chat, Cole shared the following after Ashanti vocally announced her positive COVID-19 status: “I want you to enjoy your flowers, I want to enjoy my flowers. And I want to be united as one. There’s too much separation and division in this business as women. Guys are constantly sticking together. For ladies, we should be able to do the same.” Ashanti also noted that she hadn’t caught the virus while traveling to Antigua and Barbuda. As the new year set in, she announced she tested negative for the virus.
Following this conversation, the rescheduled date of January 9 was announced. Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the country and the violent riot that took place at the Capitol in Washington D.C., the battle was postponed.
“This has been an emotional week. In addition, as COVID-19 numbers continue to increase, safety is a top priority for us,” a statement from Verzuz read. “As much as we enjoy having everyone together in the same room, to protect the artists and everyone who works with us in putting the shows together, we’ll be going back to separate locations for a bit.”
The rescheduled Verzuz between Ashanti and Keyshia Cole is officially slated for Thursday, January 21 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. You can watch the battle on Instagram Live and on Apple Music.
