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Who Is Nick Cannon?
Nick Cannon is a multifaceted entertainer who has left his mark on almost every aspect of show business. From acting and stand-up comedy to hosting television and radio shows, making music, and producing and directing entertainment projects, Cannon’s versatility is evident. He is best known for hosting reality competition shows like America’s Got Talent from 2009 to 2017 and The Masked Singer beginning in 2019. During his time on America’s Got Talent, he was married to pop icon Mariah Carey.
Early Life
Nicholas Scott Cannon was born on October 8, 1980, in San Diego, California, to televangelist James Cannon and accountant Beth Hackett. His parents separated when he was young, leading him to split his time between California and North Carolina. At age 8, his grandfather gifted him several musical instruments, sparking his interest in performance. Although he began with music, Cannon soon shifted to stand-up comedy, performing on his father’s public access show, which later led him to work in renowned comedy clubs as a teenager.
TV Star
The Nick Cannon Show and Wild ‘N Out
Cannon’s big break came when he started warming up audiences for Nickelodeon’s All That. At just 17, he became the youngest staff writer in television history. Soon after, he created, produced, and starred in The Nick Cannon Show on Nickelodeon, followed by Nick Cannon Presents Wild ‘N Out, an improvisational comedy series on MTV. Wild ‘N Out, which aired from 2005 to 2007, became one of MTV’s biggest hits and returned in 2013 for an extended run on MTV2.
America’s Got Talent and The Masked Singer
In 2009, Cannon became the host of America’s Got Talent, a role he held until 2017. He also appeared in shows such as Real Husbands of Hollywood and had a recurring role in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. In 2019, he took on hosting duties for The Masked Singer, a competition series that became a major hit.
Film Career
Drumline and Bobby
In addition to his television success, Cannon made his transition to film with a small role in Men in Black II (2002) and landed his first leading role in Drumline later that year. He continued to build his filmography with movies like Shall We Dance (2004), Roll Bounce (2005), and Bobby (2006), the latter earning him a Screen Actors Guild nomination and the Breakthrough Actor of the Year Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Chi-Raq and She Ball
Cannon later starred in Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq (2015) and announced his intention to produce, direct, and star in She Ball (2017), a film about a group of women’s basketball players who work together to save a community center.
Music Career
While establishing his acting career, Cannon also pursued music. He released his self-titled debut album in 2003 and has collaborated with artists such as Kanye West, P. Diddy, Mary J. Blige, and R. Kelly. His passion for music led him to host the nationally syndicated radio show Cannon’s Countdown, which premiered in 2011. He later released two mixtapes and a second studio album, White People Party Music (2014).
Business and Charity
Beyond entertainment, Cannon is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. He founded Ncredible Entertainment, a multimedia company producing TV, film, music, and merchandise. He also served as chairman of the TeenNick network. Despite his busy schedule, Cannon remains committed to charitable causes, including running his own charity, the Nicholas Scott Cannon Foundation.
Personal Life
Cannon married singer Mariah Carey on April 30, 2008, when he was 27 years old. The couple had fraternal twins, Moroccan Scott and Monroe, in 2011. Although they seemed like a power couple, they separated in 2014 after six years of marriage. Cannon faced health challenges in 2012 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of lupus that caused mild kidney failure. He credited Carey for her nurturing support during this time.
Controversy
In July 2020, Cannon faced backlash when ViacomCBS cut ties with him due to anti-Semitic remarks made on his YouTube series, Cannon’s Class. Cannon later apologized, expressing deep regret for his comments. He emphasized his commitment to learning and building stronger connections with the Jewish community, acknowledging that his words came from a place of ignorance.
Despite setbacks, Nick Cannon continues to be a prominent figure in entertainment, known for his resilience, creativity, and wide-ranging talents.