News | Entertainment
16 Feb 2026 22:35
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
     16 Feb: Steven Spielberg has donated $25,000 to help James Van Der Beek's family
     16 Feb: Michelle Obama got 10 new ear piercings in one sitting
     16 Feb: Margot Robbie has credited Rachel McAdams with helping her land all her major roles
     16 Feb: Daisy Lowe is pregnant with her second child
     16 Feb: Ashley Roberts wrongly announced Dick Van Dyke had died instead of James Van Der Beek
     16 Feb: Jesy Nelson's petition with Parliament, to demand all newborn babies born in the UK are tested for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), will receive a response from the UK government after it was signed more than 66,000 times
     16 Feb: The FBI has revealed "new identifying details" about a suspect in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A Super Rugby referee clanger in round one More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Now's the time to buy for those looking to get on the property ladder More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Former FBI agents say in their experience looking closer to Nancy Guthrie's social circle may be key 22:07

    Entertainment:
    Steven Spielberg has donated $25,000 to help James Van Der Beek's family 21:57

    Business:
    Now's the time to buy for those looking to get on the property ladder 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Michelle Obama got 10 new ear piercings in one sitting 21:27

    Environment:
    Weather warnings are set to fade away tonight 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Margot Robbie has credited Rachel McAdams with helping her land all her major roles 20:57

    Entertainment:
    Daisy Lowe is pregnant with her second child 20:27

    General:
    How cheating allegations have rocked the curling teams at the Olympics 20:17

    Entertainment:
    Ashley Roberts wrongly announced Dick Van Dyke had died instead of James Van Der Beek 19:57

    Entertainment:
    Jesy Nelson's petition with Parliament, to demand all newborn babies born in the UK are tested for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), will receive a response from the UK government after it was signed more than 66,000 times 19:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd