Television host and rapper Nick Cannon recently had a slip-up during an episode of The Really Good Podcast on June 19. He tried to name all 12 of his children but forgot two in the process.
Nick, age 44, has fathered 12 children with six different women. While attempting to name them one by one, he confidently listed ten: Moroccan, Monroe, Golden, Powerful, Rise, Zion, Zillion, Legendary, Onyx, and his late son Zen. Then he paused.
“You’re missing two,” the host pointed out.
“I’m missing two,” Nick admitted.
The two names he left out were his youngest daughters, Beautiful, who he shares with Abby De La Rosa, and Halo, who he shares with Alyssa Scott. Both are just 2 years old.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
It was a human moment caught on camera.
With so many children, it is understandable to mix things up. Still, the moment quickly went viral because of how casual the setting was.The public questioned his parenting involvement.
Critics online said that remembering your own children’s names is a basic responsibility. One Reddit user put it bluntly:
“Nick Cannon has no excuse to not remember the names of twelve children, his own children. It’s not an impossible task.”The emotional weight of grief may play a role.
The incident came just after Alyssa Scott, the mother of two of his children, shared a cryptic message about her daughter needing to be “loud.” This added emotional context to the moment, especially since their son Zen passed away in 2021.
His Perspective
Nick responded to the buzz with his usual humor and honesty. He described having a “king complex” and referred to himself as “the king,” a tongue-in-cheek reason for why he has so many children.
He emphasized that he enjoys being a father and is intentional about spending time with each child. He said he focuses on “qualitative experiences” and loves stepping into their individual worlds.
When asked if he was done having children, Nick said, “I think I’m done.” But he left room for change, adding, “I don’t wanna say I’m done, but I think I’m good for now. They say you don’t make decisions while you’re grieving, so I’m still in that mix.” He concluded, “God decides when we’re done.”
What Fans Are Saying
Reaction has been mixed:
Some sympathize, noting the possible i mpact of grief:
“He forgot his dead child and the younger sister… grief directly affects the memory part of the brain.”Others are critical:
“Twelve kids? that’s really too much… Fathering children is a responsibility… when you can’t name your children.”One comment pointed out familial understanding:
“Nick Cannon’s brother Gabriel can’t name all 12 kids either… he relies on Google. ‘They’re all on the internet.’”
The Takeaway
Nick Cannon’s name slip became a viral moment because it touches on a larger conversation. Parenting in the public eye, especially at this scale, invites scrutiny. Forgetting names might seem minor, but it can signal deeper concerns for some people.
Unbiased Opinion
While forgetting to name two children in a public interview can come off as careless, it’s also a human slip-up in the context of managing twelve children. The incident underscores the tension between public scrutiny and private life. Fans are right to expect attentiveness from a parent, but it’s equally valid to recognize the complexity of his situation. Ultimately, whether this reflects a parenting flaw or a simple misstep depends on Nick’s follow-up: does he show consistent presence and care for all his children moving forward?
