Not all celebrity breakups end bitterly, and a former star couple continues to demonstrate this truth. In a recent interview, the host of “Wild ‘N Out” reflects on his relationship with his ex-wife and how they co-parent their children.
Nick Cannon has opened up about his dynamic with his ex-wife, Mariah Carey. Nearly ten years after their divorce, the pair, who share 15-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, have successfully maintained a positive relationship.
“We’ve managed to sort of move on, stay cordial, and be the best parents we can be,” said Cannon, 45, in an interview with Us Weekly ahead of his upcoming “Wild ‘N Out” tour. “And, like, to this day, man, we talk almost every day or every other day, you know, just to discuss the kids, really.”
He added, “She knows how to maintain her privacy, you know what I mean? You feel like you know her, you feel like you understand her, but she keeps everything that matters to her private.”
Cannon, now 57, and Carey were married from 2008 to 2016, during which they had their two children. Cannon is also the father of ten other younger children from different relationships.
Tragically, one of his sons, Zen, passed away from a brain cancer diagnosis at just five months old in December 2021.
“I’ve learned so much,” added Cannon. “I always say that Mariah Carey has been both my best friend and my best teacher. I mean, she’s shown me sides of the world I’d never seen before and probably never will again.”
Cannon emphasized that their divorce wasn’t “complicated” or “difficult,” and conveyed that he gained valuable lessons from the marriage.
“What I’ve particularly learned from her is how to hold onto what’s true, create one’s own spaces, and not let outside energies seep in. I’ve never seen someone operate so fully on their own frequency, and it’s always so positive and optimistic,” Cannon remarked.
He continued, “[With] everything she’s gone through in life, I think that’s what drives her. I mean, her faith and her ability to just block out the negative energy. I’ve never seen anyone else do that.”
While co-parenting the twins with Carey, Cannon also aims to balance his time among his other children. “We have to function as a team, but the roles are clearly divided. Each mother raises her children in her own way, but as for me, I tend to avoid conflict, which isn’t always a good thing,” he admitted.
“I’m laid back, and I don’t take things seriously, so it’s a bit like this: either I crack a joke, or I just say, ‘Well, that’s how it is.’ I think this helps me avoid stress.”
Cannon has also observed early signs that Monroe and Moroccan may be inclined towards the spotlight, just like their famous parents. According to the proud dad, Monroe is interested in studying theater at Pepperdine or NYU.
While noting that she is free to choose her own path, he has encouraged her to first fall in love with the craft, explaining that the goal should be to become a great actress rather than simply seeking fame in Hollywood.
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This attentive father added that he encourages all his children to focus on the arts and hone their talents, confident that opportunities are limitless once they dedicate themselves.
He urged them to participate in as many school plays and recitals as they desire, to nurture their talents, and to be ready to share them with the world when the time comes. Above all, he said, the experience must remain enjoyable, which he describes as a hobby rather than a job.
