Representatives for Nick Cannon are disputing reports that the actor and comedian is suing media giant ViacomCBS. The Shade Room reported that the actor and his team were allegedly planning to sue the company over a dispute regarding its termination — to the tune of $1.5 billion, reportedly the equivalent to the worth of his popular show “Wild ‘N Out.”
The media outlet claimed to have spoken to Cannon’s representative, who gave an exclusive statement saying, “It is just that simple, ‘Wild’ N Out’ belongs to Nick!” They added about the comedy and improv series that airs on MTV, “The show was created by Nick Cannon with his idea and original thought. ‘Wild’ N Out’ has brought billions of dollars in revenue to Viacom since 2015. And Nick deserves and has earned everything it is worth.”
The New York Daily News, however, reported on Wednesday, Aug. 12 that Cannon isn’t suing ViacomCBS. The publication says Cannon’s rep called The Shade Room’s report “inaccurate.”
“These reports are inaccurate. Nick’s focus right now is on unifying communities and combatting bigotry, racism and hate of all kinds, not seeking personal financial gain,” the entire statement read from Dan Klores Communications via Nikki Liberatore. Liberatore told the newspaper that she is Cannon’s representative.
The news comes on the heels of ViacomCBS cutting ties with the 39-year-old Cannon after he made what many considered were anti-Semitic comments during an episode of his “Cannon’s Class” podcast. Throughout the now-deleted episode, Cannon was joined by former Public Enemy member Richard “Professor Griff” Griffin. The two men discussed conspiracy theories, including one that insinuated that Jewish people controlled several significant media companies and referred to white people as “savages” and “animals,” among other topics.
Following the scandal, the “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” star issued several apologies to both ViacomCBS and the Jewish community. The actor has even been meeting up with prominent figures and rabbis in the Jewish community including Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean/director, Global Social Action Agenda of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, to educate himself on the Jewish culture. Cooper told The Associated Press at the time that Cannon “appears to be someone who’s genuine in his desire to make sure people understand his apology.”
On Monday, Cannon revealed on a podcast that he’d learned his great-grandfather was a “Spanish rabbi” after talking with his mother about their family history. “So, as much heat as I’ve been catching from the public and the outside, this hit home for my family in a real way because I come from a Black and Jewish family on my mother’s side,” Cannon revealed. He added, “A lot of people may have been upset that I apologized, but I feel like that’s what someone of true character is actually supposed to do when they hurt someone. Now, let’s get through this process of truth and reconciliation.”
