Nick Cannon Defends Himself Against “Deadbeat Dad” Claims, Says He Makes $100M Annually

Nick Cannon responds to claims of being a "deadbeat dad" and discusses his system for balancing fatherhood with his busy lifestyle.

Nick Cannon has responded to claims that he’s a “deadbeat dad” to his 12 children with six different women. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the “Masked Singer” host defended himself against the accusations and explained how he balances fatherhood with his busy lifestyle.

Cannon, who confirmed he makes $100 million annually, said he’s been unfairly “villainized” and criticized for not being present for all of his children. However, he maintains that he keeps track of their schedules and tries to spend time with each of them, even if it means just driving them to school.

To navigate life as a father to a dozen children, Cannon said he has a system in place. He keeps clothes at all his partners’ homes and decides where to stay overnight based on who calls him that day. He also sometimes charts the route to drop off his children with his partners and stays with whoever’s house he arrives at last.

Cannon said it’s important to him that his children have a place in his work life as well. He has a nursery in his office, complete with toys and a ball pit, so his kids can join him while he works.

The “Drumline” and “All That” alum has children with Mariah Carey, Abby De La Rosa, Alyssa Scott, Brittany Bell, Bre Tiesi, and Lanisha Cole. He’s even hinted that he might not be done having kids, stating in February that he would let God decide when he should stop having children.

Overall, Cannon hopes to break down the negative stereotypes surrounding Black fathers and show that it’s possible to be a successful, involved dad, no matter how many children you have or how busy your career may be.