Nick Cannon Recalls Childhood Crush On Ex-Wife Mariah Carey, Says She's A 'Gift From God'

Nick Cannonconfessed he was a fan of Mariah Carey as a little boy before growing up to marry her. The actor and comedian said he had photos of the iconic singer hung up in his room when he was only 12 years old. 

Cannon praised Carey for making him who he is today. He revealed in 2022 that he would be willing to resume their relationship if things could go back to how they were.

Romance with the "Without You" singer was "a fairytale" that he didn't want to "mess up." After six years, the duo ended their marriage and decided to co-parent their kids. Cannon shares ten kids with five other women but still calls Carey the love of his life. 

Read on to find out more.

Cannon revealed that he had photos of Carey hung up on his bedroom walls when he was 12 years old. The "Wild 'n Out" star admired her through his teen years and was excited to finally get to know her. The duo, who have a 14-year age gap, got married in 2008.

Cannon and Carey share twins, Monroe and Moroccan, who they now co-parent following their divorce in 2016 after six years of marriage. Recounting their time as husband and wife to The Shade Room, the now father of 12 revealed that being married to Carey was one of the best things to ever happen to him.

Seven years after finalizing their split, he described the singer as the "coolest person I've ever met" and noted how proud his 12-year-old self would have been. Cannon praised Mariah for changing his life for the better during their relationship and teaching him a lot of lessons.

The "Love Don't Cost a Thing" actor gushed about his former wife during the interview. He revealed that the "All I Want For Christmas" singer was a happy soul and would always find something to be grateful about. "I get a lot of this delightful disposition from her."

Cannon noted that Carey was very kind to people around her and carried positivity wherever she went, even during hard times. He explained, "She's just always happy, always doing for others. No matter what's happening in life."

This character trait is what he admires most about the singer. While they were married, Carey taught him to "operate like that" and to prevent "negative energy into" his space. Cannon recalled thinking that Carey was ethereal and god-sent. He described the singer as "remarkable" and "a gift from God."

Cannon professed that he was a hopeless romantic during a 2022 episode of the "Hot Tee" podcast. In response to what past romance he would want to relive, the actor noted that he would "never" experience a love story like the one he had with Carey.

The 42-year-old admitted that he wouldn't mind picking up from where they left off if he was sure that he wouldn't ruin things. Cannon explained, "It was literally like a fairy tale with Mariah, so I would rather it just be that way, and I appreciate that fantasy."

He added, "because if I try to go back and it wasn't the same, I'd be like, 'Damn, I messed it up.'" However, if their relationship could go back to "the way it was," the actor wouldn't mind giving it another shot since Carey is the love of his life.

Cannon fathered 12 children with six women within 11 years. He first had Moroccan and Monroe with the "Endless Love" singer in 2011 before welcoming children with Abby De La Rosa, Brittany Bell, LaNisha Cole, and Bre Tiesi before 2021.

He then welcomed his seventh child, Zen, with Scott in June 2021, who died shortly after. Following the tragic incident, Scott wrote in a sad Instagram tribute to the infant, "It's a painful reminder that you are no longer here … It has been an honor and privilege being your mommy. I will love you for eternity."

Cannon announced his child with LaNisha Cole the following year via a sweet Instagram post. He wrote, God has given me and @MissLanishaCole the privilege of hosting an Angel here on Earth." He welcomed another child with Brittany Bell in the same month, and another with Abby De La Rosa the month after, before his most recent child, and the second one with Scott, in December 2022.