Is Ashanti OK? Singer backs out of Verzuz battle against Keyshia Cole at last moment, fans say ‘wasted damn time’
After Gucci Mane and Jeezy broke all the records in their Verzuz battle a few weeks ago, it was time for musicians Ashanti and Keyshia Cole to lock horns on Saturday, December 12, 2020. The paperwork was all in and the face-off between the renowned artists had got all the fans excited, however, Ashanti backed out from the tie at the last moment after she tested positive for coronavirus.
The American singer-songwriter took to her official Instagram account to share the bad news with her 6 million followers where she posted a text image with no caption. The text image read, “Hey y’all. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I tested positive for COVID-19. I’m OK and not in any pain. I’m actually down to do the Verzuz from my house...we’re trying to figure it out.”
To further confirm the news, the official Twitter account of Verzuz posted a photo of the two and stated, “Unfortunately, we have to postpone tonight’s #VERZUZ. Ashanti tested positive for COVID-19, and we cannot put anyone at risk in the process. First time this has struck us so close to show time. We apologize to our incredible audience!” However, the post also revealed the new date. The Verzuz battle between the two will now be held on January 9, 2020.
Unfortunately, we have to postpone tonight’s #VERZUZ. Ashanti tested positive for COVID-19, and we cannot put anyone at risk in the process. First time this has struck us so close to show time. We apologize to our incredible audience! https://t.co/Z5joJjVmFI pic.twitter.com/zH4tkoKnhk
— Verzuz (@verzuzonline) December 12, 2020
The social media users were quick to react to the entire situation. The majority of users expressed their anger as they were looking forward to the battle. One user stated, “From now on please put in your contracts artist have to be in state of scheduled Verzuz 14 days in advanced and STAY there. We being nice about all this but we mad so yeah.” One furious individual posted, “F**k this y’all should have prepared ‘ wasting our damn time.” Another added, “I thought the whole purpose of verzuz was cause of covid, for our entertainment but the artists NOT to be in the same room!? & why would ya schedule it so close after announcing it, while she’s out of the country with a HUGE possibility of covid exposure?? This was a TEASE!!”
One user said, “I'm glad tonight's #VERZUZ got cancelled because I wouldn't have been able to watch and I'd like to see keyshia cole whoop ashanti's butt in real time!” Another expressed, “Keyshia Cole was about to WASH Ashanti.” One stated, “@KeyshiaCole want Ashanti at her best so she can hug her after ripping her apart. Respectfully.”
From now on please put in your contracts artist have to be in state of scheduled Verzuz 14 days in advanced and STAY there. We being nice about all this but we mad so yeah.
— ZaIsMyPerfume 💋💫 (@CoveredInZa) December 12, 2020
Fuck this y’all should have prepared ‘ wasting our damn time
— 🌕👑SAILOR MOON PUSSY🧚🏿♂️🌙 (@chae_chilla) December 12, 2020
I thought the whole purpose of verzuz was cause of covid, for our entertainment but the artists NOT to be in the same room!? & why would ya schedule it so close after announcing it, while she’s out of the country with a HUGE possibility of covid exposure?? This was a TEASE!! 😫😤
— Silent Beauty🖤 (@silentbeauty_) December 13, 2020
I'm glad tonight's #VERZUZ got cancelled because I wouldn't have been able to watch and I'd like to see keyshia cole whoop ashanti's butt in real time!
— shahira (@acharmingbore) December 13, 2020
@KeyshiaCole want Ashanti at her best so she can hug her after ripping her apart. Respectfully.
— des. (@dose0fdes) December 13, 2020
This is not the first time when a Verzuz battle had to be rescheduled. The same happened when Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Teddy Riley had to reschedule their Verzuz a couple of times earlier in the year. The first happened when Edmonds had tested positive for Covid-19 and the second time was due to Riley’s many technical difficulties.
Keyshia Cole had first challenged Ashanti for the Verzuz battle back in July, however, Ashanti did not respond to the same. And, then almost a week ago Keyshia confirmed their battle when everything fell in place. The Ashanti vs. Keyshia battle follows Gucci Mane vs. Jeezy, which broke all Verzuz records with over 1.8 million viewers. For the uninitiated, the music face-offs can be watched Live on the official Instagram handle of Verzuz. Fans can also log in to the website of Apple Music for the same.
