News | Entertainment
5 Dec 2025 10:14
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
     05 Dec: Alicia Silverstone has offered a $50,000 reward for the return of two missing giraffes
     05 Dec: Tracy Morgan has fed 19,000 families through his charity work
     05 Dec: Ethan Hawke's wife Ryan Shawhughes fled the set of his new movie Blue Moon after seeing his "combover"
     05 Dec: Sydney Sweeney is "handling" fame "incredibly well", according to her Christy co-star Ben Foster
     05 Dec: Ray J has been arrested over allegations he pulled a gun on his ex-wife Princess Love during a Thanksgiving day livestream
     04 Dec: The Prince and Princess of Wales have congratulated Robert Irwin on his Dancing With the Stars win
     04 Dec: Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman were allegedly present during a confrontation between Ryan Reynolds and Justin Baldoni
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Liam Lawson admits any sympathy for Yuki Tsunoda's Formula One future only goes so far More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Chris Luxon admits many Kiwis still haven't felt the economy turn a corner More...



     Today's News

    General:
    A blend of Cool Runnings, Eddie the Eagle: The Filipino curling team on the cusp of an Olympic spot 10:07

    Motoring:
    Liam Lawson admits any sympathy for Yuki Tsunoda's Formula One future only goes so far 10:07

    Accident and Emergency:
    Police are yet to determine the cause of a crash that's left one person dead in Bay of Plenty 9:27

    Rugby:
    Eben Etzebeth won't be back on a rugby field until late March 8:37

    Law and Order:
    Another arrest in Christchurch - as Police ramp up efforts to tackle a youth crime wave 8:37

    Golf:
    Patience in testing conditions has golfer Daniel Hillier well placed after the opening round of the Australian golf Open in Melbourne 8:27

    Politics:
    Satisfaction from the Education Minister, as secondary school teachers give the Government's latest offer the thumbs up 8:07

    Entertainment:
    Alicia Silverstone has offered a $50,000 reward for the return of two missing giraffes 8:06

    International:
    AUKUS will survive Trump, says Australia's top diplomat in London Stephen Smith 7:57

    International:
    Today in History, December 5: How Prohibition was brought down by gangsters, bootleggers and violence 7:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd