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11 Jan 2026 1:30
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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

    Accident and Emergency:
    Six people have been involved in separate water-related incidents across the country this afternoon 23:06

    Environment:
    MetService has issued a severe weather warning for the South Island West Coast 21:56

    Entertainment:
    Jeremy Allen White and Pusha T both feature in Louis Vuitton's new travel-themed campaign 21:53

    Entertainment:
    Nell Fisher says her friends "don't care" that she stars in Stranger Things 21:23

    Environment:
    An expected rain deluge and a possible tropical cyclone are posing fresh threats to already hard-hit communities in Queensland's far north 21:16

    Entertainment:
    Bodybuilder-turned-actress Jayne Trcka has been found dead at her home in California 20:53

    Entertainment:
    Kendall Jenner is celebrating "confidence" in her new role as a global fragrance ambassador for Emporio Armani 20:23

    Entertainment:
    A member of Mickey Rourke's own management team set up GoFundMe campaign for him "as a nice gesture" as he faced eviction from his home 19:53

    Entertainment:
    Kate Hudson doesn't regret making "sacrifices" for her family by staying at home to look after her kids 19:23

    Christchurch:
    Drummond Wharf in Akaroa is cordoned off after a drowning 18:56


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