Nick Cannon reveals struggle to carve out his own 'identity' while being married to Mariah Carey
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nick Cannon recently shared candid insights about his insecurities during his 6-year marriage to Mariah Carey.
In an episode of the 'Ray Daniels Presents' podcast on October 24, the 44-year-old entertainer reflected on the challenges he faced in defining his identity alongside the iconic singer, who is 55.
Nick Cannon reflects on his 'identity' struggle during marriage to Mariah Carey
Cannon revealed that despite not being concerned about public opinion, he grappled with self-doubt after marrying Carey in 2008. "I didn't actually really care what the world thought because the perception, you know, that is what it is. People are going to love you one day, hate you the next day," he stated.
However, he admitted to feeling pressure to question his own identity: "But going to myself with that pressure of, 'Who am I?'"
He recalled getting married in his 20s to someone he described as the "biggest star in the world," saying, "My trajectory was here," gesturing downwards, "and then hers — she's already in a different stratosphere."
Cannon acknowledged that he struggled to carve out his own identity while being married to Carey, admitting he became "comfortable" in their lifestyle, which included lavish experiences and a sense of leisure.
"I would lay up at night thinking, like, 'Is this who I am? Am I Mariah's man? Is that what my life is supposed to be?'" he expressed, clarifying that while there was nothing wrong with that identity, it left him feeling uncertain.
Nick Cannon reflects on parenthood with Mariah Carey
Cannon also touched on the dynamics of their family life, especially after the birth of their twins, Moroccan and Monroe, in April 2011.
He described a moment of vulnerability: "I'm carrying a purse, the diaper bag and, you know, I'm standing on the corner like, 'Wait.' She's rocking being the alpha." When the podcast's host remarked, "She deserves it," Cannon agreed, adding, "I believe she needs a dude like that. I'm just not that dude."
According to the People, The couple's romance began in early 2008 when Cannon appeared in Carey's 'Bye Bye' music video. They married just a few months later in a secret ceremony. Their marriage lasted six years, ending in divorce in 2014.
Both Cannon and Carey have been open about their relationship in the years since. In her 2020 memoir, 'The Meaning of Mariah Carey', she described Cannon as a "good guy" who was "faith-based" and "ambitious." However, she acknowledged that "egos and emotions got inflamed," complicating their efforts to keep the family intact.
Cannon has previously expressed feelings about possibly rekindling their romance. In August 2023, he told 'E! News', "We belong together," stating he would “absolutely” get back together with Carey.
Yet he humorously remarked, “She don’t want me.” A few weeks later, he clarified to 'PEOPLE' that she had moved on from his "crazy antics."
