Nick Cannon has finally opened up about his relationship with ex-wife Mariah Carey.
In an October 24, 2024, appearance on the Ray Daniels Presents podcast, Cannon reflected on the emotional challenges of marrying young. He shared what it was like to marry pop sensation Mariah in 2008, during his early 20s.
Discussing their marriage, Cannon explained that, at first, his wife’s celebrity status didn’t affect him. However, over time, he started to experience self-doubt and question his role in the relationship. He reflected,
“I got married in my 20s, you know what I mean? To the biggest star in the world. I didn’t actually really care what the world thought… People are going to love you one day, hate you the next day. But I was going to myself with that pressure of, Who am I?”
Highlighting the immense difference in their stardom during their marriage, the comedian also opened up about his insecurities, revealing how being overshadowed by his ex-wife’s fame affected him. He shared,
“My trajectory was here [downwards] and then hers, she’s already in a different stratosphere. I would lay up at night thinking, like, Is this who I am? Am I Mariah’s man? Is that what my life is supposed to be?”
Nick Cannon Opens Up About Struggling With Masculinity In His Marriage To Carey
Nick also reflected on the challenges he faced with his sense of masculinity after the couple welcomed their twins, Moroccan and Monroe, in 2011.
With children in the picture, the couple’s dynamic shifted, and Cannon admitted that, despite identifying as a masculine man, he felt sidelined by his supporting role in Mariah’s spotlight. He revealed that this struggle was one of the factors that contributed to their divorce. Nick shared,
“I’m carrying a purse, the diaper bag and, you know, I’m standing on the corner like, Wait. She’s rocking being the alpha… She deserves it. I believe she needs a dude like that. I’m just not that dude”.
Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey first met at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards, maintaining a platonic relationship for three years before sparking a romance in early 2008.
After dating for just six weeks, the couple tied the knot in April 2008 on Carey’s private island in the Bahamas. Following six years of marriage and the birth of their twins, they separated in late 2014 and finalized their divorce in November 2016.
Fans Criticize Nick’s Remarks About Mariah Carey’s Fame
Several netizens took to social media to express their disapproval of Cannon’s recent comments regarding his ex-wife’s popularity. Many criticized him for his insecurities during their marriage, with some comments that read,
“Selfish, self absorbed, whiny little troll…”
“Ego and insecurities is all I heard 🤦🏽♂️🥴”
“Sounds very immature he let his ego and insecurity breakup his family. He basically saw Mariah as competition…”
As fans continue to voice their opinions, it’s clear that Nick Cannon’s comments have sparked significant discussion about the complexities of celebrity relationships. Only time will tell how these revelations will impact his public image.