News | Entertainment
17 Dec 2025 18:14
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Nick Cannon has claimed his great-grandfather was a Spanish rabbi

    The 39-year-old star - who was fired by ViacomCBS last month after making anti-Semitic comments on his 'Cannon Class' podcast - has claimed that he only found out about his roots after the recent controversy


    Speaking to Rabbi Noam Marans on American Jewish Committee's 'AJC Advocacy Anywhere' show, he said: "My mother has been calling me every single day since this happened with so much family history. My great-grandfather was a Spanish rabbi. He's a Sephardic Jewish man.

    "So, as much heat as I've been catching from the public and the outside, this hit home for my family in a real way because I come from a Black and Jewish family on my mother's side."

    Nick later issued an apology and insisted he never meant to spread "hate and propaganda" against Jewish people.

    And during his appearance on 'AJC Advocacy Anywhere', he insisted he wanted to move ahead with "truth and reconciliation".

    Nick said: "A lot of people may have been upset that I apologised, but I feel like that's what someone of true character is actually supposed to do when they hurt someone.

    "Now, let's get through this process of truth and reconciliation."

    Last month, in a lengthy apology on social media, Nick said: "First and foremost I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to my Jewish sisters and brothers for the hurtful and divisive words that came out of my mouth.

    "They reinforced the worst stereotypes of a proud and magnificent people and I feel ashamed of the uninformed and naive place that these words came from.

    "I am committed to deeper connections, more profound learning and strengthening the bond between our two cultures today and every day going forward."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     17 Dec: Sharon Osbourne has defended her daughter Kelly over her recent weight loss
     17 Dec: Ryan Coogler insisted he didn't turn down an invitation to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences "out of animosity"
     17 Dec: Chase Infiniti has joined Louis Vuitton as a brand ambassador
     17 Dec: Taylor Swift is not a "chill person"
     17 Dec: Glenn Close was "too clueless" to realise she went on a date with Robert Redford
     17 Dec: Hugh Jackman once secretly wet himself on stage during Beauty and the Beast
     17 Dec: Amanda Seyfried has refused to apologise for comments about Charlie Kirk
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Blues coach Vern Cotter is intrigued by the idea of cross-hemisphere rugby clubs swapping players More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Horticulture NZ's emphasising the importance of backing growers - as exports climb to record levels More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to five years and four months jail for threatening a mass stabbing attack, distributing objectionable material and indecent communications 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Sharon Osbourne has defended her daughter Kelly over her recent weight loss 17:50

    Cricket:
    The West Indies have warmed-up for the third and final cricket test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui by chilling out 17:37

    Rugby:
    Blues coach Vern Cotter is intrigued by the idea of cross-hemisphere rugby clubs swapping players 17:37

    Law and Order:
    FBI releases footage of Brown University shooting suspect 17:27

    Health & Safety:
    Health officials have confirmed one new measles case in Queenstown - linked to overseas travel 17:27

    Entertainment:
    Ryan Coogler insisted he didn't turn down an invitation to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences "out of animosity" 17:20

    Entertainment:
    Chase Infiniti has joined Louis Vuitton as a brand ambassador 16:50

    Entertainment:
    Taylor Swift is not a "chill person" 16:20

    Law and Order:
    Jevon McSkimming sentencing: why a public inquiry into the police should be next 16:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd