Nick Cannon Met w/ Rabbi Abraham Cooper To Discuss Anti-Semitic Comments & To Be ‘Corrected’

Director Nick Cannon arrives at the 28th Annual Pan African Film Festival - "She Ball" Premiere at Cinemark Baldwin Hills on February 21
(Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

Nick Cannon just wants to make things right.

Last week, the comedian faced a lot of backlash over the comments he made on his podcast. Viacom found his statements to be anti-Semitic and as a result, fired him.

He started the show by saying this is an important episode because he’s sitting with Rabbi Abraham Cooper. Rabbi Cooper is a big name in the Jewish community, he’s the associate dean and director of Global Social Action Agenda for the Simon Wiesenthal Center. When the conversation begins, Nick dives in and addresses the controversial episode with Professor Griffin. Nick admitted throughout his career, he has been called many things, canceled a few times but when he saw a comment online about himself saying, “anyone seeking a Ph.D. in Jew-hatred should watch this interview” (referring to the one with Professor Griffin), that was a new “insult” for him. Nick went on to say that he doesn’t have any hatred toward any group of people.  

Nick also told Rabbi Cooper that he feels he has a connection to the Hebrew community and their scripture because it inspired him to venture away from his traditional Christian beliefs, study theology, and be on a mission to receive a Ph.D. in divinity. At one point, Nick told Rabbi Cooper about a Hebrew scripture about forgiveness and according to the Hebrew scripture, a person should ask for forgiveness once, twice, even three times, and then they “have” to forgive you. Rabbi Copper said Nick was correct. 

Nick also said he’s not a fan of apologies if the person asking for it doesn’t learn from the situation, grow or heal. This 

“That’s why I felt like I rather sit down with someone of your stature, to really correct me.” Then Nick went on to apologize again for causing “pain” and “hurt” to people. He wants to learn how to not do that anymore. 

During the conversation, Rabbi Cooper said that the Jewish community appreciates his apology, but they want to make sure it’s sincere. Nick Cannon asked the Rabbi if he believes his apology is genuine and he said yes. 

Take a look at the episode: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdJ2yO7HFMM