Nick Cannon, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, proudly refers to himself as the “Black Tony Stark.” This self-proclaimed title isn’t just a playful moniker; it stems from a deeply personal connection to the iconic Marvel superhero. Cannon’s association with Iron Man resonates with his own health journey after being diagnosed with lupus in 2012.
During a recent tour of his residence, aptly named the “Cannon Estate,” the father of twelve shared a poignant moment of reflection upon seeing his Louis Vuitton Iron Man helmet. In a YouTube video published on December 31st, featuring his twins, Moroccan and Monroe, with ex-wife Mariah Carey, Cannon drew parallels between Iron Man’s near-death experience and his own battle with lupus.
“I’m a huge Iron Man fan because Iron Man almost lost his life,” Cannon explained. He elaborated on how Iron Man’s superhero abilities were activated at his lowest point, resonating with Cannon’s own experience with lupus. “I connected with that because of my lupus… so when I got lupus, I was like, ‘That’s my superpower.'” He credited the first Iron Man movie and Robert Downey Jr. for further solidifying this connection, but acknowledged his affinity for the character even extended back to the comic books. After donning the helmet, he declared, “I’m the Black Tony Stark, baby.”
Lupus, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues and organs. This results in inflammation that can impact various parts of the body, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.
Cannon has been open about his experience living with lupus. In 2022, the Masked Singer host commemorated ten years since his diagnosis with a video reflecting on the “sudden and mysterious illness that almost took my life.” He recounted how, unaware of the cause at the time, he documented his entire health journey on camera.
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Cannon was married to Mariah Carey at the time of his diagnosis; they separated in 2016. Their twins, Moroccan and Monroe, are now thirteen years old.
More recently, in April 2024, Cannon reaffirmed his resilience, referring to himself as a “lupus warrior” while sharing an image of himself undergoing blood work on Instagram Stories. The image, featuring a venipuncture device drawing blood, was accompanied by the caption: “Constant reminder that health is the real wealth!!! #lupuswarrior 💜💜💜💜” This declaration underscores Cannon’s ongoing commitment to managing his condition and inspiring others facing similar health challenges. He sees his lupus not as a weakness, but as a source of strength, much like the superhero he identifies with.
