Nick Cannon recently opened up about his efforts to assist Kanye West during his troubling period of making anti-Semitic comments and spreading hateful rhetoric across various platforms. Reflecting on his own past transgressions, Cannon acknowledged that West was in dire need of help. In an extensive interview with the Los Angeles Times on May 7, Cannon addressed the consequences of his 2020 interview with Professor Griff on his Cannon's Class podcast, where he referred to White and Jewish individuals as "the true savages." Following the swift backlash, Nick Cannon was fired by ViacomCBS and lost his television hosting roles.
Three years later, Cannon's remorse and genuine apology to the Jewish community, along with his close collaboration with Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, have played a significant role in rehabilitating his public image. During the interview, when questioned about Kanye West, who faced his own fallout with the Jewish community due to his anti-Semitic remarks, Cannon revealed that he attempted to reach out to him but was unsuccessful in providing assistance.
Cannon expressed concern about West's behavior, questioning whether he genuinely believed the things he said. Despite his best efforts, including connecting West with leaders in the Jewish community, Cannon concluded that there was more to the situation than met the eye. He emphasized West's desperate need for help, love, and support from those around him, urging people not to abandon him.
Since then, Kanye West has offered apologies to the Jewish community. During an interview on the Lex Fridman Podcast in October 2022, West expressed regret for his hurtful comments, specifically addressing Jewish individuals. He acknowledged the pain he caused and apologized for the way they felt, extending his remorse to the entire Jewish race, whom he considers his brothers.
In March 2023, Kanye West publicly announced that he no longer holds anti-Semitic views. He credited actor Jonah Hill for positively reshaping his perspective on Jewish people after watching Hill's performance in the 2012 film, "21 Jump Street." West expressed gratitude to Hill for helping him appreciate and like Jewish individuals once again.
Overall, Nick Cannon's revelation about his attempts to assist Kanye West sheds light on the complex nature of public figures facing consequences for their offensive remarks. It also highlights the potential for growth, redemption, and the importance of genuine apologies in rebuilding relationships with marginalized communities.