Nick Cannon recently opened up about his personal struggles following his 2014 divorce from Mariah Carey, claiming that the “trauma” from their split contributed to him becoming a father to 12 children. In an interview on “The Breakfast Club,” Cannon reflected on the impact of his divorce and the pressures of his career on his decision-making. He admitted that he didn’t take the necessary time to heal and instead focused on maintaining his career, leading to a haphazard approach to fatherhood. “I just got to keep making money. I got to stay hot. I got to stay funny,” he stated, revealing his realization that he could have navigated his life differently, despite expressing love and commitment to his children.
When asked directly if fathering multiple children stemmed from his trauma, Cannon candidly acknowledged, “Yeah. I’m learning that now.” He described his actions as not intentionally reckless but rather careless because of his lifestyle, financial capabilities, and access to a variety of experiences. Cannon conveyed a sense of spontaneity in his choices, saying that he simply allowed life to unfold without adequately considering the long-term consequences. Instead of taking a more thoughtful approach, he prioritized having fun and assumed he could manage whatever challenges arose.
In terms of his growing family, Cannon shares twins Moroccan and Monroe with Carey, along with several children from different relationships. He has sons Golden Saigon and Rise Messiah, daughter Powerful Queen with Brittany Bell, and more children with Abby De La Rosa, Bre Tiesi, LaNisha Cole, and Alyssa Scott, who also bore witness to the tragedy of losing their son Zen to a brain tumor in late 2021. Despite the large number of children, Cannon maintained that each one was born out of love and that his relationships with their mothers were meaningful.
Cannon, who discussed his diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, emphasized the positive role therapy has played in his life. He recognized that at nearly 45, he has gained insight into how his past decisions could be improved with more deliberate thought and emotional processing. “If I would have thought the process through a little bit more… things might have been a little different,” he noted, suggesting a deep yearning for personal growth that intersects with his experience as a father.
The union between Cannon and Carey culminated in a divorce finalized in November 2016, which established joint custody of their twins. Reportedly, the pair has managed to remain effective co-parents and have built a supportive environment for their children. An insider mentioned that they exemplify a balanced co-parenting relationship, demonstrating that their post-divorce dynamics are amicable despite the challenges they faced.
While Carey moved on to engage with billionaire James Packer and later dated backup dancer Bryan Tanaka, Cannon has remained largely single since his separation from Carey, even as he nurtured bonds with the mothers of his children. His life serves as a testament to how past relationships and emotional unresolved issues can ripple through a person’s present circumstances and future family dynamics.
