Nick Cannon has spoken candidly about his journey into fatherhood, admitting that his decision to have 12 children was less about intention and more about “carelessness.”
The actor, comedian, and TV host—who shares 14-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey—opened up during a recent interview on The Breakfast Club radio show.
Life After Divorce
Cannon reflected on how his divorce from Carey in 2016 shaped his choices. He described the years that followed as a whirlwind marked by freedom, access, and financial security—factors that influenced his approach to relationships and family.
“It wasn’t like I was acting out,” Cannon explained. “It was more about being careless, being frivolous with my process—because I could do it. I had the money, I had the access, and I moved however I wanted.”
He emphasized that he never set out to build a huge family. Instead, he says he simply “lived life and had fun,” confident he could handle the outcomes.
A Growing Family
Over the years, Cannon’s family has expanded to include children with multiple partners:
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With Mariah Carey: Moroccan and Monroe, 14
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With Brittany Bell: Golden, 8; Powerful, 4; and Rise, 2
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With Abby De La Rosa: Zillion and Zion, 3; and Beautiful, 2
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With Bre Tiesi: Legendary, 2
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With LaNisha Cole: Onyx, 2
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With Alyssa Scott: Halo, 2, and the late Zen
Lessons and Healing
Looking back, Cannon admits he might have made different choices had he taken more time to process the pain of divorce. He highlighted the importance of addressing trauma at its root.
“Now, you’re leaving trauma every step of the way instead of fixing it from its origin,” he said.
Still, Cannon insists that each of his children was conceived within meaningful, loving relationships.
For now, the father of 12 says he has hit the “pause button” on expanding his family further—though he’s not ruling out the possibility in the future.
