Nick Cannon on Keeping It Fresh as Host of "America's Got Talent"

Well, this man needs no introduction but I'll give him one anyway.

Nick Cannon, host of America's Got Talent/renaissance man/multi hyphenate mogul.

Can we call you can we call you a mogul?

Mogul.

Just call me Nick.

Nick.

You know, we were joking the other day.

He's so busy.

He's the black Ryan Seacrest.

But really.

People say that.

I got way more talent than Ryan Seacrest.

I said it.

Ryan Seacrest is a very close friend of mine so I joke with him.

I'll take it.

I'll take it.

We joke about that all the time.

That dude is phenomenal and awesome businessman but I ain't seen Ryan Seacrest in no movies.

So, you know, I'm just saying.

I ain't heard no Ryan Seacrest albums.

I don't know if anybody would want to hear that though.

But they don't want to hear mine either, so it's kinda.

That's not true.

Please.

Give yourself some credit, jiggalo.

That's the one you.

I still.

I'll take it.

Still on Netflix by the way.

Thank you.

Um, you are hosting the what is this like the 103rd season of America's Got Talent.

Of America's Got Talent.

Speaking of talent.

Yes.

Congratulations, by the way, for still being at the helm of this show, being the anchor of this show.

What keeps it fresh for you?

It's all about fun and all about watching everyday Americans strive for their dreams.

I mean, like at the end of the day when we're all sitting around the television with our families, we're saying, "Man, that person really deserves an opportunity.

I'm rooting for that person."

I wanna see that person take it all the way.

That's why all of these shows work but, you know, more so with America's Got Talent because it's any age, any talent, you know, from any walk of life.

And that age part, I think is is really, it's a big deal.

It's it's interesting.

And for you being, you know, you you started in this business real young.

You're an adult now.

You know, it's just.

When did that happen?

I mean, that's what your Wikipedia is.

Wikipedia said I was dead, so you can't really go off of that.

This is true, but I mean what is what makes this, you know, unique?

You talked about everyday Americans living their dream.

Yeah, you know, uh, honestly, cuz everyone has a talent.

It's just how do you embrace it?

We don't like mediocracy, so it's it if you're mediocre, this show isn't for you.

But if you're ready to leave it all out there on the stage and even if you're you we just want amazing talent.

Even if you're amazingly bad, we want to we want to see it.

And that's what kinda makes this show unique but at the end of the day, it's fun.

So you're saying I have a chance, is what you're saying.

Whatever, what would you do?

I can do this with my tongue.

That could get you a million dollars.

You just gotta put some pyro around it.

And some good music.

That could be.

It's like You could be the the then a name.

You gotta come like you're the amazing.

Yeah.

Killer Cleo the folded tongue woman.

Boom.

Done.

Done.

We're I'm gonna log on to to that website.

Cleo the folded tongue woman.

Love it.

I'm also very.

I was in lights in Vegas.

I I do too.

I would watch the folded tongue woman show.

I know you would.

Um, I am also a very good chair dancer.

So, We can put all of this together.

Like folding.

How 'bout you get a folding chair for your folding tongue, put some other folding dancer.

It it could be it's a whole thing.

It's like that scene in Flashdance.

Pull the water down and your tongue's folded and it's going in your mouth.

Totally.

And then I run in place.

Really fast.

Leg warmers.

You're just full of ideas.

This is why you're so successful.

Does your mind ever stop?

It doesn't.

I didn't think so.

I didn't think so.

Simon Cowell joining the judges table.

Yes.

Um.

He would like the folded tongue woman.

And with a and with a background folded chair dancer.

I don't know.

Okay.

Okay.

I'll have to ask him.

I'll have to ask him.

But I bet you whatever his response would be, it would be entertaining and people would love it and be talking about it the next day.

Um, do you get jealous of the judges?

Do you ever get jealous of of where they are?

Why?

I don't want that job at all.

Yeah.

Cuz I I guess because I'm so empathetic to the process being an entertainer.

I hate judging people.

Like, I hate having a a critique of anyone else's art.

Uh, because I feel like as an artist, as someone who knows how much courage and strength it takes to to get on a stage in front of an audience.

It's difficult.

So, I'm rooting and cheering for anybody.

So, if I had to sit there and say, "Oh, I would've liked it if you would've did this or you didn't do that."

That's not my personality.

Do you ever go down to the chairs though and just press the X?

Because that's what I would do, like when they weren't looking, because.

Just to hear the sound?

Yeah, totally.

Yeah, totally.

Like, a couple of times, especially when you have the golden buzzer, you hit that and like confetti goes off and.

Oh.

Sirens and stuff.

Stage managers must love that.

They hate that.

They gotta clean up the confetti.

I love it.

I love it.

You know, you do so much.

Uh, I wouldn't be surprised if you told me that you had a clone.

Um.

I've I've actually.

Actually, you do, right, don't you?

People yeah, I'm working on that.

It's a secret twin.

His name is Nate Cannon.

He does all the stuff.

Exactly.

He's doing all the business stuff.

Um, and and actually a couple of years ago, you worked yourself so hard that that your health was a little bit in danger.

What kinds of things do you have to do to make sure that you're healthy, that you can be, you know, great Nick Cannon?

Drinks a lot of water.

That's a.

I have.

Stay hydrated.

Yeah, I drink at least a gallon of water a day.

Wow.

Rest is key.

That's what my doctor tells me.

I don't get as I probably don't get as much as I should but when I do, it's a very calming rest and like meditating.

Those type of things, just keeping a stress-free environment.

Uh, and then doing what you're supposed to do.

I don't really eat processed foods.

I don't really, you know.

I'm a candy crackhead, though.

So.

Really?

What's your drug of choice?

Oh, Skittles.

Cuz we have like multiple bowls in the studio.

Yeah.

Skittles, Nerds.

All fruit candy.

All about it.

But other than that, I'm healthy.

I always say everyone has to deal with something.

You know, we all have things and it just keeps me on tech.

I feel like I'm healthier now than I was previously, uh, to having lupus because now I have to be on top of it.

It keeps my life organized a little bit better cuz I know I gotta wake up at a certain time.

I gotta eat so many times a day.

I gotta consume this amount of water.

I gotta work out.

So.

You're a really disciplined guy.

Yeah, exact.

That was and that's the thing.

Like that that's the keyword there, it's disciplined.

Like, you know, being, you know, a businessman, being a father, being, uh, someone who has to deal with a condition, discipline is key.

And when all is said and done, how do you want people to remember you?

Uh, someone who made people smile.

That's all I want to do.

I feel like, you know, we're all here to, you know, pursue happiness.

If I can make a couple of people happy along the way, uh, that's that's what it's all about.

Nick, thanks so much for dropping by.

Cannot wait to see more of you on America's Got Talent always.

Please take care of yourself, as I know you will.

And, uh, and, uh, we'll we'll rewatch those films and compare them.

Yeah.

I can't wait.

Can't wait.

Awesome.