Nick Cannon recently opened up about the insecurities he experienced during his marriage to ex-wife Mariah Carey, shedding light on his struggles with identity and masculinity. Appearing on the *Ray Daniels Presents* podcast on October 24, the 44-year-old comedian and actor discussed the complexities of their relationship, which began in early 2008 and culminated in a secret wedding just months later.
Cannon candidly expressed that while he was indifferent to public perception—acknowledging that opinions can fluctuate—he grappled with self-identity amidst the pressures of being married to one of the world’s biggest pop stars. “I got married in my 20s, you know what I mean? To the biggest star in the world,” he remarked, illustrating the stark contrast between their career trajectories. “My trajectory was here,” he gestured downwards, “and then hers — she’s already in a different stratosphere.”
Despite finding comfort in their life together, Cannon admitted he often questioned his role within the relationship. “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?'” he shared. He emphasized that while there’s nothing inherently wrong with supporting a partner, it led him to reflect deeply on his own identity.
Cannon also touched on his feelings of masculinity and family dynamics after they welcomed twins Moroccan and Monroe in April 2011. He humorously recounted moments where he felt out of place: “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.” He acknowledged that Carey deserved to take charge in their family dynamic but recognized that he struggled to fit into that role.
Their romance began when Cannon starred in Carey’s music video for “Bye Bye,” leading to their secret marriage in May 2008. However, after six years together, they announced their divorce in 2014. Both have since reflected on their relationship publicly; Carey detailed her feelings in her memoir, *The Meaning of Mariah Carey*, where she described Cannon as a good guy with ambition who understood the chaos of the entertainment industry.
In a recent interview with E! News, Cannon expressed a desire to rekindle their relationship, stating, “We belong together,” although he joked about Carey’s reluctance to return to him. Just weeks later, he clarified that she has moved on from their past.
While Carey has engaged in several long-term relationships since their split, Cannon has expanded his family with ten children from various partners.
Read more