How does Nick Cannon make millions to support his 11 kids? The America’s Got Talent host says he spends US$200,000 on trips to Disneyland alone, and funds it through his films, podcasts and TV gigs
Cannon told the LA Times in May that he has to “generate” at least US$100 million a year to support his lifestyle after facing criticism about child support. Over the last three years, Cannon has had nine children with five different women, which has led to people questioning how he can afford to support them all.
Last year, British media estimated that Cannon was expected to pay US$3 million in child support every year. He rebutted that figure when speaking to The Neighborhood Talk. He said that he doesn’t pay child support but that he spends more than US$3 million on his children annually.
Nick Cannon gets millions for The Masked Singer
Cannon told The LA Times in May that he’s paid more than US$20 million for hosting the Fox singing competition series, The Masked Singer.
In 2020, Forbes reported that Cannon had signed on to produce The Masked Singer that year through his production company, Ncredible Productions, meaning that he would also participate in a share of the show’s profits, as well as his hosting fee.
Cannon also created, hosts, and produces Wild ‘n Out
Wild ‘n Out, a freestyle comedy show created in 2005, is one of the main shows Cannon is known for. It also generates a lot of money for him.
Cannon’s production company produces the show, which has been going for 19 seasons, and in 2020, Forbes reported that the company generated over US$100 million in revenue from projects produced in 2019.
He’s hosted numerous shows, including America’s Got Talent
Cannon has hosted several other game shows and competition shows over the years.
More recently, Cannon starred in and produced E!’s Celebrity Prank Wars, which aired in 2023, and also had his own daytime talk show, The Nick Cannon Show, which was cancelled last year after one season.
He’s about to release a movie with Alec Baldwin
Cannon has filmed multiple projects that are reported to come out this year. First is an Amazon Freevee show called Counsel Culture, which the LA Times described as an all-male version of The View.
Cannon has also a filmed version of his Future Superstar Tour, which showcases up-and-coming musical talent. The docuseries, Nick Cannon Presents: Future Superstars, premiered on VH1 in November.
Finally, IndieWire reported in April that Cannon will join Alec Baldwin, Mickey Rourke and Tara Reid in a movie called Hollywood Heist. The Wild ‘n Out host is also a producer of the movie.
He has made bank from several films over the years
Throughout his career, Cannon has had starring roles and appearances in numerous films such as Drumline, Love Don’t Cost A Thing and Bobby, all of which have contributed to his earnings.
While Cannon hasn’t revealed how much he was paid for any of these films, earlier this year, he told HipHopDX that he turned down a movie called ATL for the movie Roll Bounce because it paid more.
He also has his own radio show and podcast
Cannon has also expanded his talents into audio in recent years. The star hosts his own three-hour daily live radio show called The Daily Cannon on the Amazon-owned app Amp.
He also hosts a podcast called 2 Hate or Not 2 Hate with Jonathan Greenblatt, the chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, to bridge the gap between Black and Jewish cultures.
He owns a record company
While Cannon is more recognisable for his TV show appearances, the 43-year-old entertainer is also a musical artist who has released multiple singles and albums over his career.
He started out in music as part of the rap group Da G4 Dope Bomb Squad, before going solo and releasing his own music. In 2009, the Wild ‘n Out host launched his record label Ncredible, which now has a film production side that he uses to create series and films.
Even more impressive is that Cannon has expanded into yet more ventures, including owning a restaurant in the Hollywood Hills called Yamashiro, an Ncredible-branded gym in the same location, and has published several novels and children’s books.
He has 11 children with six different mothers to support
Unsurprisingly, Cannon’s main expenditure is his children. Cannon told The Neighborhood Talk that he spends more than US$3 million on all of his children combined.
Cannon’s first child with Scott, Zen, died from brain cancer in December 2021.
According to the LA Times, Cannon is also studying for a master’s degree in child psychology and a PhD in divinity.
He owns several multimillion-dollar houses
Last year, Today reported that Cannon had bought a house for De La Rosa, the mother of his twins Zion and Zillion Heir, and Beautiful Zeppelin. In an Instagram post, De La Rosa said she was “grateful” to Cannon for the house.
Forbes also reported that Cannon and Carey sold their Bel Air home in 2015, after their separation, for US$9 million.
Around the same time, TMZ said that Cannon had rented a mansion in New Jersey that cost US$11,000 a month. The report said he had the option to buy the US$3 million property in the future.
In 2021, British media reported that Cannon had eventually bought the mansion.
He spends around US$200,000 annually at Disneyland
During an appearance on The Breakfast Club radio show, Cannon said that trips to Disneyland are a common occurrence.
He said: “Every birthday and Christmas – I’m literally at Disneyland at least once a month, and to move around Disney, like, I’m probably spending US$200,000 a year at Disneyland.”
Cannon explained that the expenses add up due to the cost of the hotel and chaperones.
- Nick Cannon has 11 children with 6 different women, including Mariah Carey, and forks out millions a year for them, including on houses and trips to Disneyland, so how does he do it?
- The star is an impressive multi-hyphenate who has written kids books, owns a restaurant and a record label, and hosts numerous podcasts, radio and TV shows including The Masked Singer