Nick Cannon Quits America’s Got Talent After NBC Firing Threat Over Race Joke

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Live Semi-Finals 1" Episode: 1118 -- Pictured: (l-r) Howie Mandel, Mel B, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Simon Cowell -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC

Nick Cannon announced via Facebook that he’s leaving his job as host of America’s Got Talent, after NBC threatened to fire him over jokes he made during a Showtime comedy special.

I write this from a deeply saddened and dolorous mindset. After days of deliberating over some extremely disappointing news that I was being threatened with termination by Executives because of a comedy special that was only intended to bring communities closer together, I was to be punished for a joke.

This has weighed heavy on my spirit. It was brought to my attention by my “team” that NBC believed that I was in breach of contract because I had disparaged their brand. In my defense, I would ask how so? Or is this just another way to silence and control an outspoken voice who often battles the establishment.

Recently many of my mentors have cautioned me that soon “The System” would come down on me because I was speaking too many truths and being to loud about it. I had no idea that it all would hit so close to home. I find myself in a dark place having to make a decision that I wish I didn’t have to, but as a man, an artist, and a voice for my community I will not be silenced, controlled or treated like a piece of property. There is no amount of money worth my dignity or my integrity.

I have loved hosting AMERICAS GOT TALENT for the last 8 seasons, watching talented, brave, and courageous Americans accomplish their dreams in front of millions has been nothing but a joy, and everyone has been a pleasure to work with but my soul won’t allow me to be in business with corporations that attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists, and question cultural choices.

Not to get too detailed but this isn’t the first time executives have attempted to “put me in my place” for so called unruly actions. I will not stand for it. My moral principles will easily walk away from the millions of dollars they hang over my head. It’s never been about the money for me, what is difficult to walk away from is the fans, the people who love me on the show. This hurts tremendously. I felt like I was apart of the fabric of our great nation every summer, representing every culture, age, gender, and demographic. Now for the rug to be pulled from underneath me and to be publicly reprimanded and ridiculed over a joke about my own race is completely wrong and I have to do something about it.

I have fought many battles in my career and have never been afraid to go up against the system. I have mulled over my process for days and felt it was best to once again speak my mind about an unjust infrastructure that treat talent like they own them. Maybe it was my mistake for signing the contract in the first place, in which I will take full responsibility and have already taken action to restructure my own team of advisors.

I now have to set out on a journey of freedom as an artist. As I was quoted in a recent interview, “You can’t fire a Boss!” and that is the essence that I possess. So I wish AGT and NBC the best in its upcoming season but I can not see myself returning.

There is more on Cannon’s Facebook post.

From TV Guide:

In Cannon’s third comedy special Stand Up, Don’t Shoot, which premiered on Friday, Cannon joked about the difference between his AGT persona and his stand-up, which is far more explicit. Cannon joked that if he said what he really was thinking while hosting AGT, it would “mess up the white money,” but that he wasn’t going to hold back onstage.

“Matter of fact, that’s what NBC gonna stand for tonight,” Cannon told the crowd, according to Decider. “N—-r Better Come on, ’cause n—-rs be cussing. So n—a be careful.”

Maybe Nick was just blowing off steam and will change his mind about leaving. I had no idea his act was so political. Here’s a preview from Showtime:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi95FfQD7OA

No doubt, AGT executive producer Simon Cowell is loving the publicity.

About mj santilli 34893 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!