Controversial TV Host Defends ‘Unorthodox’ Lifestyle as a Dad of 12 Kids originally appeared on Parade.
Nick Cannon, 44, isn’t bothered by the comments he gets about being a father of 12 children with six different women, and he defended his “unorthodox, nontraditional” lifestyle in a new interview on July 8, 2025.
“I love my kids unconditionally, and there’s nothing more important than my children, so it’s a learning lesson of love for me every single day,” he told PEOPLE. He said he’s proud to show the world what “different flavors of fatherhood” can look like.
“But also to put a different face on the fatherhood, too, because you see it in so many different ways now that you didn’t see before,” he added. “You can be present and you can have multiple relationships. The number one thing is just to be present and to be able to say, ‘Hey, I’m here, we’re growing together.’ “
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Cannon’s fatherhood journey began when he welcomed his twins, Moroccan and Monroe, with his ex-wife Mariah Carey in 2011. After the couple’s split in 2016, he began growing his family exponentially, including sons Golden Sagon and Rise Messiah Cannon and daughter Powerful Queen with Brittany Bell, twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir and daughter Beautiful Zeppelin with Abby De La Rosa, son Legendary Love with Selling Sunset star Bre Tiesi, and daughter Onyx Ice Cole with LaNisha Cole. Cannon also welcomed son Zen, who sadly died from brain cancer at just five months old in 2021, and daughter Halo Marie with Alyssa Scott.
Though Cannon has many families, he insists they all get the attention they need and are all growing up “surrounded by love.” “The proof is in the pudding, so we’re gonna see,” he said. “All I can do is pray that they can have an open and loving life because they see what that is in a very non-traditional, unorthodox way, but it’s still filled with love.”
Luckily, all of Cannon’s children will likely enjoy his latest gig as the host of Lego Masters on FOX. The news that he would be replacing longtime host Will Arnett was revealed via Deadline on June 13, 2025. “We’re thrilled to bring Lego Masters back for another season,” said Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network, at the time. “Alongside our incredible creative partners, this beloved series continues to captivate audiences. Originally launched with the wonderful Will Arnett, the show now enters an exciting next chapter with Nick Cannon at the helm, who brings a new fun energy to the competition.”
Controversial TV Host Defends ‘Unorthodox’ Lifestyle as a Dad of 12 Kids first appeared on Parade on Jul 8, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
