Ashanti to receive star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

LOS ANGELES — Ashanti soon will have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in California.

According to BET, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor the singer and actress, whose full name is Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas, in a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. PDT April 7. Actress Tichina Arnold and rapper Ja Rule are slated to speak at the event, which will be streamed online, the chamber said in a news release Tuesday.

This is just the latest of many honors for the 41-year-old, who has won a Grammy Award, eight Billboard Awards, six ASCAP Awards, two American Music Awards and two Soul Train Awards over the course of her 20-year career, the chamber said. Since 2002, Ashanti has released six studio albums and starred in multiple films, such as “Coach Carter” and “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz.” She also authored a poetry collection, “Foolish/Unfoolish: Reflections on Love,” and plans to release another book in 2022, according to the chamber.

“She has proven her talent in many different Hollywood industries and is an example for young girls who want to be in the ‘biz,’” Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said in a statement.

Ashanti took to social media Tuesday to react to the news about the upcoming ceremony.

“Speechless. Humbled. Honored. Grateful,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “Thank you guys sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! April 7th!!!!!!!!!!!!”