Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon: The Way They Were

Credit: Marion Curtis/Starpix/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon: The Way They Were

End of an era. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon were once one of Hollywood's favorite It couples, but their love story ultimately came to an end. The pair tied the knot at Carey's private estate in the Bahamas in April 2008 after a six-week romance. Three years later, they welcomed fraternal twins, son Moroccan and daughter Monroe. Even after their 2014 separation and 2016 divorce settlement, Cannon and Carey made sure to keep their little ones' happiness at the front of their minds. "It's all about love," the comedian said of his coparenting relationship with the Grammy winner during an interview with Amazon’s Style Code Live in February 2017. "You put the kids first, but then when you understand that you have unconditional love for these human beings and you want the best existence for them, then you put whatever differences you may have had aside." The Real Husbands of Hollywood alum added, "A lot of times, when you think about breakups in relationships, it's usually over ego. And if you can remove your ego from that, and make it about your loved ones, then that's what it's about." Both Carey and Cannon moved on shortly after their divorce was finalized, with Cannon welcoming son Golden with model Brittany Bell in February 2017. The "Fantasy" songstress, for her part, began dating Australian businessman James Packer in 2015 and confirmed their engagement in January 2016. Before the end of the year, however, they had called it quits and she moved on with choreographer Bryan Tanaka. [jwplayer GhtF1kg5-l3ahXupL] In June 2020, Cannon reflected on the challenges of being in a relationship with one of the most famous women in the entertainment world. "I had no problem falling back. It was never a competition with me," he told Variety. "I was comfortable in myself and who I was. ... It just made us say 'Let's coexist for the betterment of our children.' We're doing whatever we can to make sure their upbringing is as healthy as can possibly be and that we’re as healthy as we can possibly be. And that’s where we are to this day." Despite the end of their marriage, the exes will always have love for one another, especially when their kids are involved. "They are in a great place and a real source of support for one another — plus a prime example of what coparents should be," a source told Us Weekly in November 2016. Scroll down to relive Carey and Cannon's romance, from whirlwind wedding to amicable split. [podcast_block]

Credit: Marion Curtis/Starpix/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon: The Way They Were

End of an era. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon were once one of Hollywood's favorite It couples, but their love story ultimately came to an end. The pair tied the knot at Carey's private estate in the Bahamas in April 2008 after a six-week romance. Three years later, they welcomed fraternal twins, son Moroccan and daughter Monroe. Even after their 2014 separation and 2016 divorce settlement, Cannon and Carey made sure to keep their little ones' happiness at the front of their minds. "It's all about love," the comedian said of his coparenting relationship with the Grammy winner during an interview with Amazon’s Style Code Live in February 2017. "You put the kids first, but then when you understand that you have unconditional love for these human beings and you want the best existence for them, then you put whatever differences you may have had aside." The Real Husbands of Hollywood alum added, "A lot of times, when you think about breakups in relationships, it's usually over ego. And if you can remove your ego from that, and make it about your loved ones, then that's what it's about." Both Carey and Cannon moved on shortly after their divorce was finalized, with Cannon welcoming son Golden with model Brittany Bell in February 2017. The "Fantasy" songstress, for her part, began dating Australian businessman James Packer in 2015 and confirmed their engagement in January 2016. Before the end of the year, however, they had called it quits and she moved on with choreographer Bryan Tanaka. [jwplayer GhtF1kg5-l3ahXupL] In June 2020, Cannon reflected on the challenges of being in a relationship with one of the most famous women in the entertainment world. "I had no problem falling back. It was never a competition with me," he told Variety. "I was comfortable in myself and who I was. ... It just made us say 'Let's coexist for the betterment of our children.' We're doing whatever we can to make sure their upbringing is as healthy as can possibly be and that we’re as healthy as we can possibly be. And that’s where we are to this day." Despite the end of their marriage, the exes will always have love for one another, especially when their kids are involved. "They are in a great place and a real source of support for one another — plus a prime example of what coparents should be," a source told Us Weekly in November 2016. Scroll down to relive Carey and Cannon's romance, from whirlwind wedding to amicable split. [podcast_block]

Credit: Courtesy of Mariah Carey

April 2008

After just six weeks of dating, the couple wed on Carey's private island in the Bahamas.

Credit: Courtesy of Mariah Carey

April 2008

"When I first proposed to my wife, I did it with real Ring Pops," Cannon joked shortly after their surprise nuptials. "I had a Ring Pop wrapper and opened it and was like, 'Look, baby, our favorite candy!' She had hers and she was like, 'Mine is broken.' She opened it up and it was her real engagement ring. So I'm a romantic guy!"

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December 2008

Just call him "Mr. Carey" — he doesn't mind. "I love [the jokes], I welcome it," Cannon previously told Us of being married to the superstar singer. "It's fun ... You take it with a grain of salt."

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December 2008

Despite her "diva" label, her husband revealed that she's a happy homemaker. "She is a great cook," he said as the pair settled into their lives as newlyweds. "And she is also a neat freak, so she likes to clean."

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December 2009

The couple continued to prove their love by getting special tattoos in each other's honor. Carey has "Mrs. Cannon" on her lower back, while her husband had "Mariah" inked from one shoulder to the other.

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December 2009

The couple arrived at JFK Airport in New York City fresh from a trip to London.

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December 2009

Cannon surprised his wife with a kiss at midnight during her Madison Square Garden concert in NYC on New Year's Eve.

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December 2009

Later, the couple stole kisses on the red carpet at a New Year's Eve bash at New York City's M2 Ultra Lounge.

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April 2010

At a special vow renewal ceremony to mark their second wedding anniversary, the couple played traditional wedding music, gave each other rings and locked lips. "We get married every year," Cannon joked. "That's our thing."

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March 2010

"We're not taking life way too seriously," Cannon told Us of his bond with the "Always Be My Baby" songstress. "We're out there having a good time and embracing each other and being friends and keeping a sense of humor about everything."

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December 2010

"That's the only priority in life, when you think about it, is starting and raising a family," the Masked Singer host revealed of his hopes for his future with Carey. "We wanna make sure everything is out of the way and that we don't have any distractions."

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April 2011

As the pair marked their third wedding anniversary, they had a little extra to celebrate: the birth of their twins, Moroccan and Monroe. "My wife just gave me the most incredible anniversary gift ever in life," Cannon tweeted at the time. "I won't ever be able to top this!"

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January 2012

While on a getaway to Aspen, Colorado, Carey asked her fans to keep the comedian in their thoughts as he suffered kidney failure. "Please pray for Nick as he's fighting to recover from a mild kidney failure. #mybraveman," she tweeted alongside a photo of herself cuddling with Cannon in his hospital bed. "We're trying to be as festive as possible under the circumstances but please keep Nick in your thoughts because this is very painful."

Credit: Mega Agency

January 2014

While adjusting to raising their twins, Cannon and Carey knew just what their relationship needed to stay fresh. "Lots of sex," the former America's Got Talent host joked to Us in 2014.

Credit: Mega Agency

January 2015

TMZ reported in January 2015 that the Drumline star filed for divorce the previous month after six years of marriage. The news came shortly after Cannon confirmed that he and Carey had been living separately "for a few months."

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April 2016

"Today is the day that God Blessed me with the greatest gifts," Cannon gushed via Instagram in April 2016 as he marked his twin son and daughter's 5th birthday. "Grateful and forever in debt to @MariahCarey for blessing me and the rest of the world with these 2 Angels, Moroccan Scott Cannon and Monroe Cannon on this day 4 years ago. Happy Birthday!!! I Love y'all!"

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November 2016

Nearly two years after filing for divorce, the former couple reached a settlement and agreed on joint custody of their children. "They are in a great place and a real source of support for one another — plus a prime example of what coparents should be," a source told Us at the time.

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July 2017

Despite their cordial coparenting arrangement, Cannon admitted that he was still struggling to move on after his divorce. "I can't. I'm broken," he told Entertainment Tonight at the time. "I'm shattered."

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November 2017

Though no longer together, Cannon told Us exclusively that he would "always" feel protective of the "Obsessed" singer. "I feel like it’s unfair and the press can just mistreat someone for headlines because they spin the story the way they want to spin it," he said of his wife's bad press. "The people who are my loved ones, I’m always concerned for them. ... I’ll always stand up for anybody that’s being mistreated, misquoted."

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February 2018

"I have never seen someone so giving. [Mariah] remembers everyone's birthday, favorite color — she's like one of those types of people, always sending cakes, flowers and balloons," the Wild 'n Out host told In Touch of his ex, joking that he'd consider rekindling their romance "in my dreams, maybe!"

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December 2018

One big, happy family! Shortly before Christmas Day in 2018, Cannon revealed via Instagram that he and his ex-wife would be spending the holiday together in Colorado with their twins.

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April 2019

Three years after finalizing their divorce, the former couple finally found their coparenting stride. "We got our egos and this selfish behavior [but] when you put your children first, you understand that it's all unconditional love. All that other stuff just falls apart," Cannon told Us. "I always want what's best for my children."

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June 2020

While Cannon and Carey focused on giving their kids an upbringing that is "as healthy as can possibly be," they aren't immune to their own challenges. "My ego outside the house was grand but in the house it was healthy. I was there to be in support of whatever she wanted to do," he told Variety. "I mean, it's Mariah Carey. How am I supposed to be? She's one of the most talented women to ever [walk] this planet. I can't hold a candle to that woman."

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July 2022

During an appearance on "The Hottee Talk Show" podcast, the comedian revealed that he still considered Carey one of his great loves. "I guess because I'm a true romantic, I'm a true believer in love and I allow the capsules of love to be where they lie,” he shared. “I'm not a timeline dude. I will never have a love like I had with Mariah."

The All That alum revealed that his relationship with the "Fantasy" singer was “literally like a fairytale," noting how he would be open to rekindling their romance. "I appreciate that fantasy because if I tried to go back and it wasn't the same, I'd be like, 'Damn, I messed it up.’ But, if I had the opportunity, if it could be the way it was, I'm there."

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September 2022

Carey doesn't involve herself with Cannon's expanding family, an insider told Us exclusively amid the news that he is expecting his 10th child.

“Mariah doesn’t keep up with Nick’s babies and baby mamas,” the source revealed to Us. “There’s too many to keep up with! She’s happy for him and wishes him the best.”