Nick Cannon has opened up about his struggles
with insecurity during his six-year marriage to Mariah Carey, revealing that he often felt overshadowed by her status as the “alpha” in their relationship. This feeling is something many men can relate to when it comes to navigating the success of a partner.
In a candid conversation on the “Ray Daniels Presents” podcast, Cannon shared that he frequently lay awake at night, grappling with questions about his own identity in the presence of one of music’s most iconic figures. “I would lay up at night thinking, ‘Is this who I am? Am I Mariah’s man?’” he reflected, admitting that this constant comparison took a toll on his mental well-being
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Cannon first gained fame as a child star on Nickelodeon’s All That and The Nick Cannon Show, and he was always a fan of Carey. Their romance blossomed in 2008 when Cannon appeared in her “Bye Bye” music video, and they married later that year, with him being 27 and her turning 39. They welcomed twins, Moroccan and Monroe, in 2011, but their relationship came to an end in 2014.
He shared that, while outside opinions on their age difference and whirlwind romance didn’t bother him, he faced internal challenges shaped by societal views on gender roles and expectations of manhood. “I got married in my 20s to the biggest star in the world,” he noted, recognizing the stark contrast between their professional journeys.
Although Cannon was already finding success with his own endeavors—a production company, a role with TeenNick, and several hosting gigs—he still felt the weight of Carey’s massive global fame. With 19 No. 1 singles, more than any other woman, and an estimated music catalog worth hundreds of millions, her stature was undeniably commanding. Her hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” alone generates over $8 million each year, as reported by Billboard.
Cannon admitted that he became accustomed to the luxuries of their lifestyle, recalling, “I got really comfortable in it. She’s got islands. I’m waking up at noon, people bringing me steaks on a platter.” However, the arrival of their children brought his insecurities to the forefront. He described feeling like a spectator in his own family life, sharing, “Once the kids came, the hierarchy shifted. I’m carrying the diaper bag on the corner while she’s being the alpha she naturally is. And I think she needs a dude like that—I’m just not that dude.”
Despite the challenges, Cannon spoke highly of Carey, calling her “evolved” and “understanding.” In his quest to regain his sense of self, he even tried to wear suits every day to assert his masculinity. He wrestled with fears that record labels only viewed him as a product of his wife’s immense success.
“When someone has their own world, their own bubble, and you have to fit into it—I’m the main character,” he explained, expressing a deep sense of loss in feeling like he was losing himself amid the circumstances.