Nick Cannon on having 12 children: ‘I choose to live this way’

Nick Cannon stressed that it’s his choice to have a big blended family and be a father to 12 kids—and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

In a recent interview with PEOPLE, the TV host described fatherhood as his top priority in life. “I believe that’s what we’re put on this planet here to do, is to guide and usher in your offspring. So fatherhood is my number one and first priority when I open my eyes, when I get up every morning,” he said. 

“Career and work and all of that take second,” he continued. 

While not everyone may understand his decisions as a dad as they're “not typical to society,” he shared that his main goal is to love his kids and provide for his kids for as long as he could. 

“Like I always say, I just love with abundance,” explained Nick.

"Some people just won't subscribe or understand because they're not supposed to. It's the life that I've been given and I choose to live this way and love my family, love my kids," he added. 

Nick introduced his 12th child to the world in December 2022.

He’s currently in a relationship with model Alyssa Scott, with whom he has welcomed three kids. One of them unfortunately died from brain cancer in 2021. 

He also shares twins Monroe and Moroccan with ex-wife Mariah Carey as well as three kids Zion, Zillion, and Zeppelin with Abby De La Rosa. He is also dad to Golden Sagon, Powerful Queen, and Rise Messiah, whom he shares with Brittany Bell; Legendary Love, whose mom is Bre Tiesi; and Onyx Ice Cole with LaNisha Cole.

In an interview on Entertainment Tonight in February, the 42-year-old host said he does not mind having more kids in the future. "God decides when we're done, but I believe I definitely got my hands full—and I'm so focused, I'm locked in. But when I'm 85, you never know. I might." (with reports from ANI)