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17 Jan 2026 2:31
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  •   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

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     Today's News

    Soccer:
    Auckland FC's imperious away form is being put down to connections off the pitch 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Derek Hough and his wife Hayley are looking forward to a "new chapter" in their lives 21:53

    Entertainment:
    Dame Helen Mirren feels concerned by the influence of social media 21:23

    Accident and Emergency:
    Police are launching a rescue operation to remove people stuck in between land slips on Waioeka Gorge on State Highway two 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Trevor Noah is set to host the Grammy Awards for one "final" time 20:53

    International:
    Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced over martial law declaration 20:37

    Entertainment:
    Chelsea Handler met her new man in a casino 20:23

    Entertainment:
    Marcus Gilbert has died at the age of 67 19:53

    Entertainment:
    Blake Lively believes her hair is a "key part" of her identity 19:23

    Tennis:
    Argentine seventh seed Sebastian Baez has booked his spot in the ASB tennis Classic final 18:57


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