Regardless of whether or not he gave himself the superlative, “Mr. Showbiz” isn’t just the title of Nick Cannon’s new Showtime comedy special (out now on DVD)—it might be the most fitting nickname ever. Cannon was a Hollywood mainstay before he hit puberty—spending his formative years on Nickelodeon’s All That and growing up on the big screen in flicks like Drumline. He’s blossomed into a full-fledged entrepreneur in his early 30s as the chairman of TeenNick and head honcho of his own record label, in addition to other entertainment ventures.
And somehow, the host of America’s Got Talent and cast member of the new sitcom Up All Night found time to wed one of the world’s biggest stars. After getting hitched to Mariah Carey in 2008, he became a father to twins Moroccan and Monroe earlier this year. Here, Cannon shares his secrets for juggling a jam-packed schedule with dad duties, explains why he hasn’t lost his mojo after becoming a family man, and reveals what it’s like being married to a diva.
Men’s Health: You’re about 6 months into your new gig as a first-time dad. Can anything truly prepare guys for that role?
Nick Cannon: You know what? You talk to your parents. That’s probably what I did the most. It gives me even greater respect for my parents, just because I never thought about what they were going through when I was a youngster. I feel like everyone who raised me did a great job, so why not get the best advice for them?
MH: Is it fun, in a sense, that you and Mariah sometimes have no clue what you’re doing as parents?
NC: I think I’m actually built for fatherhood. I love to have a good time and play, but at the same time I’ve got a really serious side to me, and I think that’s the balance you have to have. Get on your kids’ level, but at any point in time, let them know who the parent is. You have to understand balance, and be willing to grow and learn from them daily.
MH: A lot of men say they lose some of their mojo after settling down and starting a family.
NC: Oh man, I think it’s the exact opposite. Obviously my wife has made me such a better person. She’s made me more attentive. She’s made me more detail-oriented. She’s made me more caring and loving. And from that, I’ve become sexier. I’ve noticed that I get a lot more attention now. After all, they always say that married men are more attractive than single men.
MH: But how does someone who feels that way—like they’ve lost the very essence of what makes them a man—regain his mojo while still honoring the commitments he has made?
NC: Change your outlook. What was important to you as a single man should no longer be important, and if you’re trying to hold on to your single-man values, then you’re definitely going to be down in the dumps and depressed. To me, it’s easy being a single dude. But to be able to be a leader and the head of a household, that’s a true accomplishment right there. You can’t worry about what the grass looks like on the other side of the fence, especially when you’ve been in that grass before, and you know what it has to offer.
MH: Mariah’s such a strong-willed woman with really high standards. What advice do you have for men who want to date someone like that?
NC: I think it takes a strong man to be in a relationship with a strong woman. A lot of people hear the word “diva” and think of it as a negative. I see it as a positive. I want somebody who knows what they want out of life and isn’t afraid to show it. Confidence is probably the sexiest thing to me, and my wife is definitely confident. But it can be intimidating if you’re not a strong individual—and I’m up for the task.
MH: What’s the toughest part about being married to another star?
NC: There’s not enough space in the mirror. We’re both always checking ourselves out. [Laughs]
MH: You’ve been doing standup comedy since you were a kid. How did you learn to be such an open, honest, person on stage in front of crowds full of strangers?
NC: I think my father kind of encouraged me at an early age. He thought I was really funny, but I never was afraid to say what was on my mind. You hit it right on the head—it’s all about honesty. If you’re not afraid to be honest, you can be the funniest person in the world. People think that as a celebrity, you have to have this sort of mystique about you, but I’m probably the realest person you’ll ever meet.
MH: What’s the realest thing you talk about in your new standup special, “Mr. Showbiz?”
NC: Probably how I deal with people calling me “Mr. Mariah.”
MH: Okay, Mr. Mariah. How do you deal with it?
NC: I embrace it! There are a lot worse things I can be called, and I love the fact that people refer to me as that. You want to call me a boy toy? Damn it, I’ll be the best boy toy I can possibly be. I’ll be the boy toy with the kung-fu grip.
