A decade after their divorce, the Wild ‘N Out host credits his ex-wife with lessons that still shape his life and parenting
Nick Cannon has made plenty of headlines for the size of his family, but his bond with his former wife tells a quieter, more surprising story.
The comedian and Wild ‘N Out host says he and Mariah Carey remain in close contact nearly a decade after their divorce, speaking almost daily or every other day. Most of those conversations, he explained, revolve around the teenage twins they share, Moroccan and Monroe, now 15.
Cannon offered the update in an interview with Us Weekly published Thursday, painting a picture of two former spouses who managed to leave the past behind and focus on raising their children well. The conversation offered a rare, unguarded look at one of Hollywood’s more enduring post-divorce friendships.
A Friendship That Outlasted the Marriage
Cannon and Carey married in 2008 and finalized their divorce in 2016. Although reports at the time suggested the split grew tense at points, Cannon pushed back on the idea that it was ever a messy affair. Instead, he described a transition in which both parents chose civility and a shared commitment to the twins over lingering resentment.
That choice appears to have paid off. More than 10 years after they separated, the pair still check in with each other regularly, a rhythm that many divorced couples, famous or not, never manage to find.
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What Cannon Learned From Mariah
Beyond co-parenting logistics, Cannon spoke about Carey with open admiration. He called the Grammy-winning singer both his closest friend and the most important teacher he has ever had.
The biggest lesson, he said, was learning to protect what is authentic and build a personal world where outside noise cannot seep in. He marveled at how Carey seems to move through life on her own wavelength, one he described as consistently upbeat.
Cannon also credited her resilience. Watching the singer rebound from setbacks and tune out negativity, he said, left a lasting impression on him, shaping a mindset he has tried to carry forward in his own life.
Navigating a Big, Blended Family
Carey is only one piece of Cannon’s sprawling family puzzle. The entertainer is also father to 10 younger children with five other women, a reality that requires constant coordination.
He described the arrangement as a team effort that still operates in separate lanes, with each mother bringing her own approach to parenting. Cannon was candid about his own shortcomings in that system. He admitted he tends to be the laid-back, fun parent and avoids conflict, a trait he acknowledged does not always serve his kids well.
Those arrangements have frequently made Cannon a punchline and a lightning rod online, but his comments suggest he is well aware of the challenges that come with such a complex household. The confession offers a rare moment of self-reflection from a star whose parenting choices have drawn heavy public scrutiny.
The Next Act for Monroe
With the twins entering their mid-teens, Cannon and Carey have already started thinking about college. Monroe, in particular, appears ready to follow her famous parents into show business.
According to Cannon, his daughter has her sights set on theater programs at either Pepperdine University or New York University. He said he fully supports her choosing any path she wants, but he has offered her one key piece of advice: fall in love with the craft before chasing celebrity. In his view, the goal should be becoming a truly skilled actress rather than simply a famous one.
It is guidance that echoes the very lessons he says he absorbed from Carey: staying grounded, staying true and letting the work speak first.
Why It Resonates
In an era when celebrity breakups often play out in court filings and social media jabs, Cannon’s account of his bond with Carey stands out. Their story suggests that the end of a marriage does not have to mean the end of a partnership, especially when children are at the center.
For fans who remember the couple’s whirlwind romance and headline-grabbing 2008 wedding, the update may feel like a satisfying epilogue. The marriage may be over, but the respect, it seems, never left.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
