NEWSNick Cannon Reveals He Was 'Torn' Before Announcing Late Son Zen's Death On His Show: 'I Never Want To Feel Like I'm Using This As Content'
Dec. 10 2021, Published 9:37 a.m. ET
Nick Cannon is looking back on his decision to announce his son's death on his daytime talk show.
Earlier this week, the comedian shared devastating news on his The Nick Cannon Show, when he revealed his 5-month-old son, Zen, passed away over the weekend.
During the Thursday, December 9, episode, the Wild N' Out star admitted he initially had some hesitations over telling the world about his late baby boy — whom he shares with Alyssa Scott.
The 41-year-old admitted he was "a little bit scared," before sharing the news. "Initially, just because I knew it is difficult to keep it all together," he said on Thursday's episode, per Us Weekly.
He also explained his fear of coming across as if he was using his family's tragedy as a means of getting more viewers — a fear he claimed he still struggles with "every day."
"I never want to feel exploited," he reportedly declared. "I never want to feel like I'm using this as content. I'm definitely not a 'woe is me' type of person. I'm usually a kind of guy that keeps it all in and I'm like 'I'm good,' even though I'm not good."
Earlier in the episode, the TV host confessed he's felt "torn" about coming to work, as he navigates the grieving process, but insisted his love for comedy is getting him through. "The beauty of comedy, the beauty of humor is [that it can] bring joy to people even in their toughest times," Cannon reportedly told his audience. "That's our job as artists, entertainers, specifically even comedians, is to bring smiles to people."
"I still want to be able to make you [the viewers] smile," Cannon maintained, per the outlet. "When you smile, I smile, and I think that’s the energy that we need.”
As OK! previously reported, the actor's late son was suffering from a brain tumor, and his health quickly began deteriorating over Thanksgiving weekend.
Cannon has been supporting his baby mama in the midst of the tragedy, calling her the "strongest woman" he knows, and "the best mom possible."
Earlier this year, the former America's Got Talent host became a father-of-seven when Zen was born in June. Roughly one week prior, he welcomed twins Zion and Zillion with baby mama Abby De La Rosa.
Last December, his baby mama Brittany Bell — who also shares 4-year-old son Golden with Cannon — gave birth to the pair's daughter, Powerful Queen. Cannon is also a father to 10-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, whom he shares with ex-wife Mariah Carey.
