News | Entertainment
27 Feb 2026 15:50
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."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     27 Feb: Paul Anthony Kelly has become a dad
     27 Feb: Martin Short has postponed his comedy tour dates following the death of his daughter
     27 Feb: John Davidson has "questioned" why the BAFTA production team's decision to seat him near a microphone
     27 Feb: Luke Combs feared he would not "get a shot" as a country singer because of his appearance
     27 Feb: Christina Applegate is largely confined to her bedroom amid her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS)
     27 Feb: The Kansas City Chiefs are prepared for a future without Travis Kelce
     27 Feb: Remi Bader often finds herself in "situationships"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Portia Woodman-Wickcliffe has retired from rugby for a second time, aged 34 More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Rocket Lab's continuing to thunder to new heights, posting a record revenue of 300 million New Zealand dollars in the last three months of 2025 More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    Two people have been arrested in connection to the death of Rotorua woman Sharlene Smith - one charged with her murder 15:27

    Entertainment:
    Paul Anthony Kelly has become a dad 15:21

    Cricket:
    Kiwi Daniel Hillier shares the lead at the New Zealand Golf Open after he finished his second round with a bogey in Central Otago 15:07

    Environment:
    A mere 48 hours after Wellington's Mayor went for a swim prove the sea was safe, the southern coast has again been declared unsuitable for swimming 14:57

    Entertainment:
    Martin Short has postponed his comedy tour dates following the death of his daughter 14:51

    Entertainment:
    John Davidson has "questioned" why the BAFTA production team's decision to seat him near a microphone 14:21

    Law and Order:
    One person's in a serious condition after an alleged road-rage incident in Hamilton this morning 14:07

    Entertainment:
    Luke Combs feared he would not "get a shot" as a country singer because of his appearance 13:51

    Environment:
    It's expected to be months before storm-ravaged highways on the Coromandel Peninsula are fully restored 13:47

    Politics:
    The number of children and youths entering the justice system is dropping 13:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd