Nick Cannon apologizes for anti-Semitic remarks, will remain host of ‘Masked Singer’

Nick Cannon apologized Wednesday after receiving criticism for anti-Semitic comments he used in a recent podcast, and the musician and television personality will remain the host of Fox’s “The Masked Singer,” the network announced.

Cannon was dropped by ViacomCBS earlier this week after the June 30 episode of “Cannon’s Class” podcast surfaced. The podcast was recorded last year, according to The Associated Press.

“First and foremost I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to my Jewish sisters and brothers for the hurtful and divisive words that came out of my mouth during my interview with Richard Griffin,” Cannon wrote on Twitter. “They reinforced the worst stereotypes of a proud and magnificent people and I feel ashamed of the uninformed and naïve place that these words came from. The video of this interview has since been removed.”

In the “Cannon’s Class” podcast, Cannon spoke with rapper Richard Griffin, aka Professor Griff, who left Public Enemy after making anti-Semitic comments in 1989. Cannon referenced a conspiracy theory about the Rothschilds and called Black people “the true Hebrews,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Fox said it decided to retain Cannon as host of “The Masked Singer” after beginning “a dialogue” with him, Variety reported.

“He is clear and remorseful that his words were wrong and lacked both understanding and context, and inadvertently promoted hate,” the network said in a statement. “This was important for us to observe. Nick has sincerely apologized, and (has) quickly taken steps to educate himself and make amends. On that basis and given a belief that this moment calls for dialogue, we will move forward with Nick and help him advance this important conversation, broadly. Fox condemns all forms of hate directed toward any community and we will combat bigotry of any kind.”

Cannon originally apologized in a long Facebook post on Monday.

“Anyone who knows me knows that I have no hate in my heart nor malice intentions,” Cannon wrote. “I do not condone hate speech nor the spread of hateful rhetoric. We are living in a time when it is more important than ever to promote unity and understanding.

“The Black and Jewish communities have both faced enormous hatred, oppression, persecution and prejudice for thousands of years and in many ways have and will continue to work together to overcome these obstacles.”

Cox Media Group