Nick Cannon Says Atlanta’s Got Talent
Nick Cannon is no stranger to success. Not only is he a chairman of TeenNick, but he also multi-tasks with careers in stand-up comedy, radio, acting and music. Kicking off a media tour for NBC's America's Got Talent alongside judges Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and Howie Mandell, Cannon is ready for another season of the talent search.
During a brief pause in the show’s taping at Atlanta’s Fox Theater, Cannon spoke to BET.com about his own humble beginnings in the industry and being discovered in the ATL.
As a teen upstart comedian Cannon got his start performing at one of Atlanta’s popular comedy clubs. "I mean even with my stand-up career I was discovered here at 17-years-old at the Laughaolooza." Cannon remembers. "Then you have the Uptown Comedy club that birthed so many people like Bruce Bruce to Earthquake to Chris Tucker and all those people, so it’s a mecca for talent."
Now as the host of the popular talent competition Cannon thinks ATL is the perfect place for talent seekers to visit to find new gifted entertainers.
"Atlanta is the new Motown." Cannon says. "So many people have cultivated their careers here from LA Reid and Babyface to JD [Jermaine Dupri] and Dallas Austin."
Cannon is a new dad: his wife, Mariah Carey, gave birth to twins in April. He is also prepping new music. He recently released a new parody single “Famous” featuring Akon, which is available on iTunes.
NBC’s America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. and Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
(Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)