Depending on whom you ask, Nick Cannon is either Mr. Mariah Carey or “that guy from ‘Drumline.’” After this summer, the 28-year-old MC will also be known as the man brave—or is it crazy?—enough to take over from Jerry Springer as the new host of
America’s Got Talent.
You’re a hip-hop guy—why sign on to AGT? Because I know that world very well. I was that kid who grew up on talent shows, telling jokes, performing and singing.
What’s been the weirdest thing you’ve seen that was called “talent”?There was this man in Chicago who was whipping his wife with a bullwhip. It’s strange when you hear “man whips wife.” But then when you see it, and he’s wrapping the whip around her…it was really cool.
How will the Susan Boyle phenomenon affect this season?Because of Susan and everybody believing “I can do it,” the turnout has been enormous. We’re in Houston right now and 10,000 people came out to audition! Before her, you’d have 5,000 in a couple places.
Does being married to Mariah make it harder to listen to novice singers? It does, but I take it all with a grain of salt. The funniest thing is when people come up, say they “sound just like Mariah” and try to sing her songs. Why even go there? Those are big shoes to fill.
Has she gone to any auditions with you? Not yet. She’ll probably hang out backstage once we start doing the live tapings.
If you were to audition for AGT, what would be your talent? Stand-up comedy. I’ve got jokes. One or two I keep in my pocket.
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT returns 6/23, 9/8c, NBC