Nick Cannon Slams ‘Deadbeat Dad’ Claims, Shares Yearly Income

Nick Cannon is firing back at those calling him a "deadbeat dad" because he has 12 children with six different women. The television personality recently made it clear via an interview with the Los Angeles Times this week that he is there for his big family -- emotionally and financially.

"I've been villainized," Cannon, 42, told the publication on Sunday (May 7). "I hear all the time: ‘You can't be present for all those children.' So, therefore, I get this deadbeat dad title." While he acknowledges that the narrative is: "He has a bunch of kids," Cannon said, "I'm really at a place now where I don't care what people know. I'd rather just operate. It's more about really being a good person instead of telling people you're a good person."

As for why he wanted to have so many children, Cannon said it came from a place of making his partners happy after they expressed their desires to have kids soon. "A lot of them are in the same age group," he said. "And I just wanted to give them what they desired. I kept saying, ‘I can handle it.'"

In addition to his 12-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe whom he shares with ex-wife Mariah Carey, Cannon fathered 6-year-old son Golden "Sagon," 2-year-old Powerful Queen and 7-month-old son Rise Messiah with Brittany Bell; 22-month-old twins Zion and Zillion and 5-month-old daughter Beautiful Zeppelin with Abby De La Rosa; 10-month-old son Legendary Love with Bre Tiesi; 7-month-old daughter Onyx Ice with LaNisha Cole and 4-month-old daughter Halo Marie with Alyssa Scott. Cannon and Scott's 5-month-old son, Zen, died in December 2021 from a brain tumor.

To keep up with his children, Cannon keeps a schedule for each kid and drives them to their extracurricular activities. Though sometimes his busy schedule means he's not able to spend more with each child, the Celebrity Prank Wars host shared that he'll always try to make it his mission to be there for them. "It's not about what I do for you or what I say to you. It's about how you feel when I'm with you," Cannon said. "If you feel loved when you see your dad, that's what's gonna resonate."

Cannon disclosed that he generates "at least $100 million a year" to keep up with his lifestyle. Besides Celebrity Prank Wars, he also hosts Wild ‘N Out, The Masked Singer, and his radio show The Daily Cannon. "Everybody thinks Ryan Seacrest has tons of money. I do everything that he does times 10. Well, not times 10—times three. Because he does a lot."

Nick Cannon has expanded his family yet again. Now, we knew he was expecting his ninth and tenth children with Abby De La Rosa and Brittany Bell, respectively. Apparently, he also had one on the way with model Lanisha Cole. It was speculated that Lanisha was pregnant with Nick's child but the news was never confirmed by either parent.

Nick announced the news on his IG with the comment: "Introducing ONYX ICE COLE CANNON. Once again Today I am in Awe of the Devine Feminine! God has given me and @MissLanishaCole the privilege of hosting an Angel here on earth. I vow to protect, provide, guide and love this child to the best of my abilities. I promise to love this little girl with all my heart, regardless what anyone says…I’ve given up on attempting to define myself for the world or society but instead I’m doing the work to heal and grow into the infinite Being God ordained me to be. Hopefully I can teach Onyx the same, to not let others shame or ridicule her with their outside opinions, because when they do they are only projecting their own harsh experiences, pain and social programming onto her unblemished beauty." Nick even went on to defend Lanisha, saying "[Lanisha] is one of the most guileless, peaceful and nonconfrontational kind souls I’ve ever witnessed, and only deserves to revel in this moment of blissful joy of motherhood. Please give her that. She is so loving and pure hearted."

Onyx Ice Cole Cannon is now Nick's ninth child. As mentioned, he is still expecting two more children (that we know of). Are you having a hard time keeping up with all of his kids, and who he had them with? No problem: we're here to help. Check out our timeline below.

Nick and then-wife Mariah Carey welcomed twins, son Moroccan Scott and daughter Monroe, on April 30, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Nick welcomed Golden Sagon with Brittany Bell on Feb. 21, 2017.

Golden's little sister  Powerful Queen was born at home via natural water birth on Dec. 23, 2020.

On June 14, 2021, model and DJ De La Rosa welcomed twin boys Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir Cannon to the world.

Just nine days after the arrival of twins Zion and Zillion, Cannon welcomed another son, Zen, on June 23, 2021, with model Alyssa Scott. Zen unfortunately was diagnosed with high-grade glioma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.  He died at five months old in December of 2021.

Nick and Bre Tiesi welcomed baby Legendary in July 2022.

Nick welcomed his 9th baby into the world with model Lanisha Cole. He confirmed the news with an IG post yesterday.

Nick's 10th child is soon to be born, his third with Brittany Bell.

Nick's 10th child is soon to be born, his third with Brittany Bell.