ViacomCBS fired actor and TV host Nick Cannon on Tuesday after his “anti-Semitic” remarks on a recent podcast episode. Cannon now demands the ownership of his MTV and VH1 hit series Wild ‘N Out and an apology from the company.
In a lengthy Facebook post-Wednesday morning, Cannon fired back at the media giant by expressing his thoughts on their “swindling” move, “I created a billion-dollar brand that expanded across a multitiered empire that is still Viacom’s biggest digital brand, touring business, talent discovery and incubation system and successful restaurant franchise. Based on trust and empty promises, my ownership was swindled away from me. For Viacom to be so deceptive is no surprise; they have been mistreating and robbing our community for years, underpaying talent on their biggest brands like Love & Hip Hop, all of BET programming, and of course, Wild ‘N Out.”
Viacom chose to sever ties with Cannon following his “controversial” comments on a recent episode of Cannon’s Class podcast, during which he discussed the issue of race with former Public Enemy member Richard “Professor Griff” Griffin. Cannon referred to the ideas of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, that people who have “the lack of pigment” are “a little less” than those that do and have a “lack of compassion.”
Cannon also supported the anti-Semitic conspiracy theories regarding “the bloodlines that control everything, even outside of America” and believes that Black people are the “true Hebrews.”
ViacomCBS responded with a statement, claiming that Cannon’s YouTube podcast “promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. While We support ongoing education and dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating our relationship with him.”
Cannon titled his post “Truth and Reconciliation” and stood firm on his beliefs. He said he had received an “outpouring of love and support from the Jewish community,” but chose to apologize if he offended anyone from the community. “I must apologize to my Jewish Brothers and Sisters for putting them in such a painful position, which was never my intention, but I know this whole situation has hurt many people, and together we will make it right.” He also noted that he has spoken with Rabbis, clergy, Professors, and coworkers” who have offered to help him, Variety reports.
“If I have furthered the hate speech, I wholeheartedly apologize. But now I am the one making demands. I demand full ownership of my billion-dollar ‘Wild ‘N Out’ brand that I created, and they will continue to misuse and destroy without my leadership! I demand that the hate and back door bullying cease, and while we are at it, now that the truth is out, I demand the Apology!” the Masked Singer host added.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0HkK-AmOL8
“They can try to kick me while I’m down or force me to kiss the master’s feet in public for shame and ridicule,” Cannon wrote, adding, “but instead I stand firm on my square with my fist in the air repeating my mantra, ‘You can’t fire a Boss!'”
Cannon said he has since received “death threats, hate messages calling me an ungrateful [n*****] and beyond.”
Cannon also addressed ViacomCBS’ decision to remove ads supporting George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and said he made an attempt to discuss the move with Ms. Shari Redstone, owner of Viacom, “to have a conversation of reconciliation and actually apologize if I said anything that pained or hurt her or her community” but his attempt was greeted with “Dead Silence!”
However, a ViacomCBS spokesperson told Deadline, “It is absolutely untrue that Nick Cannon reached out to the Chair of ViacomCBS.” The spokesperson said Cannon’s claim regarding the ads apparently stem from a July 12 Wall St. Journal story in which a company spokesperson was quoted saying, “Due to the comedic nature of the show we believe is in question’ Revenge Prank,’ we didn’t want to be insensitive by placing ads for it next to important and serious topics, such as Black Lives Matter. This is standard practice we use with our media agency to ensure that our ads don’t come across as tone-deaf or disrespectful.”
As he continued, Cannon took the time to reflect over his twenty years of achievements, which include his new gig as an executive producer and host of Fox’s “The Masked Singer” and said Viacom’s “goal” to keep him from providing from his family and lineage “will be foiled.”
Cannon explained that Viacom had stolen the moment “to make an example of an outspoken black man.”
“I will not be bullied, silenced, or continuously oppressed by any organization, group, or corporation. I am disappointed that Viacom does not understand or respect the power of the black community,” he stated.
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