Nick Cannon’s Religion Explained: Christian Roots, the 2020 Antisemitism Controversy, and His Faith Today

Nick Cannon has described himself as a Christian since childhood, shaped by a father who preached on television, but his relationship with faith became a matter of public scrutiny after a 2020 podcast episode cost him his job over antisemitic remarks. In the years since, Cannon has repeatedly invoked his faith — from his public apology and study sessions with a rabbi to how he talks about grief and fatherhood.

Growing Up in a Christian Household in San Diego

Nick Cannon was born October 8, 1980, in San Diego, California. His father, James Cannon, worked as a televangelist and later as an assistant pastor at a church in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he also hosted his own television ministry, according to Wikipedia and Biography.com. His mother, Beth Hackett, worked as an accountant; Cannon’s parents separated when he was young, and he split time between California and North Carolina.

Cannon got his first on-camera experience as a preteen appearing on his father’s religious television program, putting him in front of church audiences and evangelical broadcasting well before his mainstream entertainment career began. That upbringing forms the backdrop for how he has talked about faith as an adult, including during the 2020 controversy discussed below, when he referenced his “religious father” in a follow-up conversation with a rabbi, as reported by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

The 2020 Antisemitism Controversy and Its Aftermath

In July 2020, ViacomCBS terminated its relationship with Cannon over comments made on his YouTube podcast “Cannon’s Class.” As reported by Deadline and Variety, Cannon and a guest discussed conspiracy theories referencing Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, including claims about “bloodlines that control everything.” ViacomCBS said it was “deeply troubled” that Cannon had “failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism,” and ended their partnership.

Cannon later issued a public apology, stating: “I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to my Jewish sisters and brothers for the hurtful and divisive words,” as documented by Jewish Insider. He then held an in-person meeting with Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Cooper told the Associated Press that Cannon “appears to be someone who’s genuine in his desire” to make people understand his apology. A follow-up conversation, reported by JTA under the headline “Teach me, fix me,” saw Cannon discuss his study of multiple religions and his religious father.

Faith Today Amid a Complicated Family Life

Cannon has continued to speak publicly about his Christian faith, most notably after the December 2021 death of his five-month-old son, Zen, from brain cancer. Per the Christian Post, Cannon said, “I have so much faith in the Lord. I have so much faith in God,” describing prayer for “the miracle of God’s strength” rather than a physical cure.

Faith has also come up in how Cannon discusses his large family — he has fathered 12 children with six women. In a 2023 podcast appearance covered by Fox News, Cannon said he has experienced “manifestations or even these visions” that he interpreted as God telling him he would be a “father of many,” likening it to the biblical account of Abraham. This is a claim from Cannon’s own remarks rather than a doctrinal position, and it drew skepticism in coverage; his specific denomination today is not publicly confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What religion did Nick Cannon grow up practicing?

Cannon was raised Christian in San Diego; his father, James Cannon, was a televangelist and later an assistant pastor in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Did Nick Cannon apologize for his 2020 antisemitic comments, and to whom?

Yes — he apologized publicly on social media and met in person with Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, as reported by Jewish Insider and the Associated Press.