Loving Zen. Nick Cannon and Alyssa Scott shared many moments with their son, Zen, ahead of his December 2021 death.
The 5-month-old was born in June 2021, and his parents noticed a couple of months after his arrival that he had a “sinus thing … like, a cough” and had an “interesting” way of breathing.
“I really wanted to take him to the doctor to get the breathing and sinus checked out,” the Nick Cannon Show host told his audience in December 2021. “So we thought it would be a routine process. And we went in just to check his sinuses, and they actually said his sinuses were pretty cool, but by the time we found out that, he had another condition. And I think it was called, if I’m not mistaken, fluid that was building up in his head, and that was the cause [of] his head starting to get big. When we found out it was more, they called it a malignant tumor in his head. Immediately, he had to have surgery. Brain surgery.”
The little one’s health took a turn for the worse in November 2021, and the All That alum held Zen for the last time during a family beach trip.
“Alyssa was just the strongest woman I have ever seen,” the former Nickelodeon star said of the Texas native at the time. “Never had an argument, never was angry. She was emotional when she needed to be but was always the best mom and continues to be the best mom possible [to her daughter from a previous relationship].”
The actor is also the father of six kids: twins Monroe and Moroccan with Mariah Carey, Golden and Powerful with Brittany Bell and twins Zion and Zillion with Abby De La Rosa.
News broke in June 2021 that the California native had baby No. 7 on the way, his first with his Wild ’N Out costar. Scott posted maternity shoot photos with Cannon at the time, writing, “Celebrating you today.”
The Masked Singer host, who welcomed his youngest set of twins that same month, clarified in August 2021 that he doesn’t “subscribe to” monogamy, saying, “Those women, all women, are the ones that open themselves up and say, ‘I would like to allow this man in my world. And I will birth this child.’ It ain’t my decision. I’m following suit. I’m not going around like, ‘Who am I gonna impregnate next?’ Nah. It’s usually scenarios. When you look at a family structure, the woman is always the one who leads and makes decisions.”
Keep scrolling to see Zen’s pictures with his parents over the years.
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Little Guy in Green
“Nurture nature and each other. Happy Earth Day,” Scott captioned a throwback photo of Zen in a green tee via Instagram.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Hindsight
“This was our first time home since the hospital visit that changed everything,” Scott captioned a throwback photo via Instagram in April 2022. “I spent this day pleading with God. And even though my faith was strong, I knew how important it was to hold my baby close. Breathe his scent. Feel his hair. Touch his toes. And I did. Every single day and night for the months to come. I still carry regret for only having a hand full of photos of him and I together. As moms, we are almost always the ones behind the camera. Now I keep these so close to my heart. These are the moments that matter. My son. My Zen for eternity.”
Cannon commented on the social media upload with heart emojis and praying hands.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Little Bro
Scott called her daughter “the best big sister” while celebrating her birthday in February 2022.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Baby Bear
“I can imagine us the night before Valentine’s Day filling out cards to hand to your classmates. All signed with your handwriting,” Scott captioned throwback Instagram photos of Zen in February 2022. “I know it would say: Love, Zen. Every letter written with your tiny little hand. I often think about your voice. The sound of you saying, ‘I love you, Mom.’ Words I will never hear, but still feel to this day. I know you love me, Zen. You are everywhere. I see you in everything beautiful. When I hear a baby giggle, when I see children playing. You are there. If I had one wish it would be to hold you. I know everything around me would stand still. It would be just you and me. My last words to you were, ‘I’m here, I love you.’ That will ring true until the end of time. I’m here and I love you baby.”
The model concluded that she was missing her late son ”extra,” adding, “My son. You are all of my dreams realized.”
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Thanksgiving Throwback
“Today was a don’t want to get out of bed kind of day,” Scott captioned a throwback Instagram photo of her “little turkey” in February 2022. “I pray he visits me in my dreams.”
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Timeline
“We knew since August that Zen’s time on this earth would be limited,” Scott told her Instagram followers in January 2022. “We knew he would not make it to see 6 months. I am eternally grateful he was in the arms of the people who loved him most. I know we were fully present and with him in those moments. We love you Zen. We got you down here baby boy.”
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Sibling Shot
Cannon held Zen in a throwback Instagram photo posted in January 2022. Moroccan, Monroe, Zion and Zillion also appeared in the sweet shot.
Credit: Courtesy of Nick Cannon/Instagram
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Grandpa’s Guy
Scott posted an Instagram Story video of her dad with Zen in January 2022, writing, “To be in your presence is to feel closer to Zen. That’s how I know you’re an angel on Earth. My No. 1 forever. I love you.”
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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PJ Party
In January 2022, Scott shared a throwback Instagram Story video of her daughter cuddling Zen.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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So Sleepy
Zen rested at the beach in a throwback Instagram Story video posted in January 2022.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Disney Darling
In January 2022, Scott posted a throwback video via Instagram Stories of Zen sweetly sporting a hooded Mickey Mouse onesie.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Missing Zen
“There hasn’t been a day I don’t watch a video of you,” Scott wrote via Instagram in January 2022.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Christmas Reflection
"Maybe you close the door to the nursery. Maybe you leave it open. Maybe you have boxed some things away — maybe you still fold and put them in the drawers This is where I'm at," Scott captioned an Instagram photo of Zen's crib that included his Christmas onesie in December 2021. "Walking by his room ... sometimes going in. Washing some of his clothes but putting aside others that still have his scent. A pile is growing because I don't know exactly what to do but I'm not rushing myself to a decision."
She added: "I am thinking of all who are grieving this holiday season. I am also reading your messages and keeping them close to me during this time. Love
Scott also shared a sweet photo of her holding baby Zen in her arms.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Missing Zen
“In moments that test me, I will always keep the focus on you,” Scott wrote via Instagram Stories in December 2021. “I love you so much Zen. Not a second goes by that I don’t ache wishing you were here. I close my eyes and see your smile. I love you I love you I love you I love you.”
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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On the Move
Scott’s children played in the backseat in a throwback Instagram photo posted on December 13.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Sun's Out
“I see you in everything,” Scott captioned a December 13 beach photo via Instagram.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Mama's Boy
Scott asked her son to say “hi” in a throwback Instagram video.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Sweet Siblings
Scott’s daughter read to her sleeping brother in a throwback video posted in December 2021.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Bath Baby
Later in the footage, Scott bathed her son.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Music Man
Zen played with a piano toy in the December 2021 social media upload.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Hospital Photo
Scott documented her baby boy’s hospital stay.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Perfect Pair
In December 2021, the model held the little one in an emotional Instagram tribute.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Touching Tribute
Scott shared a throwback video of her baby boy cooing in December 2021.
Credit: Courtesy Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Happy Halloween
The proud mom called her daughter and son her "world" in an October 2021 Instagram post.
Credit: Courtesy Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Candy Cutie
Cannon cradled his son in a smiling shot in September 2021.
Credit: Clifton Prescod
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Family Photo
The parents also posed with Zen for a black-and-white photo at the time.
Credit: Clifton Prescod
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Rest and Relaxation
Scott shared a throwback photo of Zen sleeping in a January 2022 Instagram post.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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Baby Boy
She went on to post a video of herself talking to her infant.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Scott/Instagram
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His ‘Heavenly Birthday’
“Happy heavenly birthday Zen. At the root of all the emotions I have today there is insurmountable love,” Scott wrote via Instagram in June 2022, sharing throwback footage of her son. “I always try my best to remain positive but right now I can’t help but cry out ‘it’s not supposed to be like this.’ In my mind I can see him smashing his cake and crawling around, tugging at my legs. But the reality is I will be the one to blow out his first candle. I will be wishing he was still here with us. GO REST HIGH.”
Credit: Courtesy Alyssa Scott/Instagram
