'America's Got Talent' 2017: Nick Cannon Leaving As Host Over Race Joke Controversy [VIDEO]
Nick Cannon announced Monday that he is quitting America's Got Talent due to a dispute with NBC.
Cannon posted a lengthy message on his Facebook page Monday morning to reveal that he's intent on leaving America's Got Talent.
"I find myself in a dark place having to make a decision that I wish I didn't have to, but as a man, an artist, and a voice for my community I will not be silenced, controlled or treated like a piece of property. There is no amount of money worth my dignity or my integrity," Cannon writes. "I have loved hosting AMERICAS GOT TALENT for the last 8 seasons, watching talented, brave, and courageous Americans accomplish their dreams in front of millions has been nothing but a joy, and everyone has been a pleasure to work with but my soul won't allow me to be in business with corporations that attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists, and question cultural choices."
Cannon is referring to a report that NBC executives weren't happy with a joke he told in his new standup comedy special, Stand Up, Don't Shoot, in which he quips that he has a different persona while hosting AGT. He jokes in the special, which airs Friday night on Showtime, that he can't speak his mind freely because it would "mess up the white money" and that the show makes him lose his "black card."
"After days of deliberating over some extremely disappointing news that I was being threatened with termination by Executives because of a comedy special that was only intended to bring communities closer together, I was to be punished for a joke. This has weighed heavy on my spirit," Cannon continues in his Facebook post. "It was brought to my attention by my 'team' that NBC believed that I was in breach of contract because I had disparaged their brand. In my defense, I would ask how so? Or is this just another way to silence and control an outspoken voice who often battles the establishment."
Cannon goes on to explain how there are six major corporations that control 90 percent of media and that there are very few minority executives.
NBC has not commented publicly on Cannon's post. He has hosted America's Got Talent for the past eight seasons.
America's Got Talent is expected to return this summer on NBC.
