Nick Cannon forgets two of his 12 kids’ names in viral clip

Nick Cannon’s Viral Slip-Up: Forgetting Two Kids’ Names

Nick Cannon, a multifaceted entertainer known for hosting The Masked Singer and creating Wild ‘n Out, faced public scrutiny after struggling to name all 12 of his children during a June 19, 2025, interview on The Really Good Podcast with Bobbi Althoff.

The moment, both awkward and relatable, highlighted the complexities of his large family and reignited discussions about his lifestyle as a father of 12 with six different women. This article explores Cannon’s slip-up, his family dynamics, his career, and other celebrity dads managing multiple children.

A Career Built on Versatility

Beyond fatherhood, Cannon’s career spans comedy, music, acting, and hosting. Starting as a teen on Nickelodeon’s All That, he hosted The Nick Cannon Show and later America’s Got Talent from 2009 to 2016, leaving after creative disputes with NBC. His creation, Wild ‘n Out, remains a cultural staple, blending comedy and hip-hop. As a rapper, his 2003 single “Gigolo” with R. Kelly charted on the Billboard Hot 100, though his music career saw limited follow-up success. Cannon’s entrepreneurial ventures, like NCredible Entertainment, and his hosting gigs on The Masked Singer and Lip Sync Battle Shorties showcase his relentless work ethic, which he balances with his family responsibilities.

His public persona, however, often overshadows his professional achievements. Cannon’s openness about his unconventional family has sparked both admiration and criticism, with some praising his commitment and others questioning his ability to be present for all 12 children.

The Interview That Sparked a Conversation

During the podcast, Bobbi Althoff asked Cannon to list the names of his 12 children, prompting a hesitant response: “I usually get in trouble.” He began confidently, naming twins Moroccan and Monroe (with ex-wife Mariah Carey), Golden Sagon, Powerful Queen, and Rise Messiah (with Brittany Bell), Onyx Ice Cole (with LaNisha Cole), Legendary Love (with Bre Tiesi), twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, and the late Zen (with Alyssa Scott). But he paused, admitting, “I’m missing two.” After a moment, he recalled Beautiful Zeppelin (with Abby De La Rosa) and Halo Marie (with Alyssa Scott).

The viral moment drew mixed reactions. Some fans found it humorous, with one X user joking, “All I heard was Zing, Zang, Zong, Zaya, Zig, Zag.” Others criticized Cannon, with comments like, “Imagine being the two kids whose names he forgot.” The slip-up fueled ongoing debates about Cannon’s ability to parent such a large brood, especially given past statements about feeling guilty for not spending enough time with his kids.

Cannon’s Family: A Complex Web of Love

Cannon, 44, shares his 12 children with six women, a dynamic that’s both celebrated and scrutinized. His twins, Moroccan and Monroe, 14, were born in 2011 with Mariah Carey, whom he married in 2008 and divorced in 2016. With Brittany Bell, he has sons Golden Sagon, 8, and Rise Messiah, 2, and daughter Powerful Queen, 4. Abby De La Rosa is the mother of twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, 4, and daughter Beautiful Zeppelin, 2. Bre Tiesi welcomed son Legendary Love, 2, in 2022, while LaNisha Cole gave birth to daughter Onyx Ice Cole, 2, that same year. Cannon and Alyssa Scott share daughter Halo, 2, and mourned the loss of son Zen, who died at 5 months in 2021 from brain cancer.

Cannon attributes his large family to a “king complex,” explaining on the podcast that he sees himself as a king, historically associated with having many children to “enlarge their territory.” While some found this perspective outdated, Cannon emphasized his love for fatherhood, telling Men’s Health in 2022, “I’m just walking in my purpose and trying to be the best father and provider I could possibly be.”

The Challenges of Fatherhood in the Spotlight

Cannon’s slip-up isn’t the first time his parenting has been questioned. In 2022, he admitted to feeling “guilt” over not spending enough time with his kids, citing his demanding career and the logistical challenges of co-parenting across multiple households. Alyssa Scott called him out in 2025 for not visiting their daughter Halo for over a month, adding fuel to the narrative that Cannon struggles to balance his responsibilities.

Social media reactions to the podcast moment were telling. A Reddit user compared Cannon to teachers who memorize dozens of students’ names, writing, “This man is blanking on the name of his children.” Another commented, “I can name every kid I’ve had in my class. He doesn’t even know his own kids?” While some defended Cannon, noting that even parents with fewer children mix up names, the consensus leaned critical, with one X user stating, “It’s pathetic.”

Cannon’s response to the criticism has been to double down on his love for fatherhood. He told Althoff he’s “done” having kids but left room for “what God or the universe has in store,” suggesting openness to his unpredictable life.

Celebrity Dads with Multiple Children

Cannon isn’t alone in navigating fatherhood with a large family. Other celebrity dads with multiple children face similar joys and challenges, balancing fame with parenting.

1. Eddie Murphy: The comedian and actor has 10 children with five women, including model Paige Butcher and ex-wife Nicole Mitchell. Murphy has spoken about the chaos and joy of his big family, emphasizing love over perfection in parenting.
2. Elon Musk: The Tesla CEO has 12 children with three women, including singer Grimes and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis. Musk’s approach to fatherhood, often described as hands-off due to his demanding career, mirrors some of Cannon’s challenges.
3. DMX: The late rapper had 15 children with multiple partners. Despite financial and personal struggles, DMX prioritized his kids, though he faced criticism for not being consistently present.
4. Kevin Hart: The comedian has four children with two women. Hart, like Cannon, juggles a high-profile career with fatherhood, often sharing humorous anecdotes about his parenting mishaps.

These dads, like Cannon, navigate public scrutiny and logistical complexities. While their wealth and fame offer resources, the emotional and time demands of large families remain universal challenges.

Public Perception and Personal Growth

The Althoff interview underscores the public’s fascination with Cannon’s life. His “king complex” comment, meant as a joke, was met with eye-rolls by some, with one Instagram user quipping, “He’s not a king, and forgetting their names is not a flex.” Yet, Cannon’s transparency about his imperfections resonates with others. A fan on X wrote, “My mom’s got four kids and still mixes up our names. Cut him some slack.”

Cannon’s personal growth is evident in his response to past challenges. After his son Zen’s death in 2021, he briefly practiced celibacy during a bout of depression, showing vulnerability. His efforts to co-parent, despite public missteps, reflect a commitment to his kids, as seen in his son Roc’s heartfelt Father’s Day post in 2025: “You’ve always been there for me.”

Lessons from Cannon’s Journey

Cannon’s slip-up, while cringe-worthy, humanizes a larger-than-life figure. Parenting 12 children across six households is no small feat, and his honesty about the challenges invites empathy. His story highlights universal truths: no parent is perfect, and love doesn’t erase logistical hurdles. For fans and critics alike, Cannon’s journey offers lessons in resilience, accountability, and prioritizing connection over perfection.

As he continues to navigate fatherhood and fame, Cannon’s openness—whether about forgetting names or embracing his “king complex”—keeps him relatable. His focus on being a provider and present father, despite setbacks, resonates with anyone juggling multiple roles. In a world quick to judge, Cannon’s story reminds us that family, in all its messiness, is about showing up, even imperfectly.