How many seasons of America’s Got Talent did Nick Cannon host? Details explored

Nick Cannon was a judge on America’s Got Talent for over eight seasons, entertaining the AGT universe from season 4 to season 11. He was already a well-known name as an actor and comedian when he first made his America’s Got Talent debut as a host on season 4.

Cannon replaced Jerry Springer, who stepped down from the role after season 3. With his arrival, Cannon added a sense of youthful energy to the show.

From his initial seasons, Nick Cannon started to connect with the contestants. With his friendly personality, he used to ease contestants off their stress and pressure. He also used to comfort them when they looked disappointed after their performances.

Seeing this work, the producer called Cannon for the consequent seasons, and he became an integral part of the AGT family. Throughout seasons 5, 6, and 7, he improved as a host and became spontaneous with his relations to the contestants and his lines after performances.

Nick Cannon was surely a part of America’s Got Talent's initial success. His versatile nature allowed him to make his way through and host different acts from singing and magicians to acrobats and animal performances.

In 2014, Cannon was involved in a controversy after he released a comedy album under his alias name Connor Smallnut. In the album, he appeared with his face entirely covered in white paint. Cannon explained that it was just a joke and was quite open about it. Despite the controversy, Cannon continued as host of America’s Got Talent with professionalism.

Nick Cannon was part of the show when AGT first introduced the concept of a golden buzzer in 2015. He was quite happy with the concept and even added to the emotional moments when it was pressed for any contestants. Season 11 marked his last appearance on the reality show and Cannon announced his departure in 2017 via a social media post

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Why Nick Cannon left America’s Got Talent

Nick Cannon left America’s Got Talent because of his differences with the NBC network. In 2017, Cannon made a joke, in his comedy special Stand Up, Don't Shoot, about how the network used to limit his creativity on AGT.

Cannon was reportedly made to leave the show after his comedy special was released. One of the jokes he made about his work on the show was:

“I honestly believe, once I started doing America’s Got Talent, they took my real n—r card. They did! Because then like these type of people started showing up to my shows.”

Nick Cannon announced in his February 13, 2017, Facebook post that he won't be returning for America’s Got Talent season 12. He explained that this was because his employers at NBC threatened to fire him from the show for a joke he made about the network in his Showtime comedy special. Cannon wrote:

“I was to be punished for a joke. This has weighed heavy on my spirit. 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.”

Nick Cannon at the 2024 Black Enterprise Disruptor Summit (Image via Getty)

Nick Cannon made the decision to leave the show because he felt that he was being robbed of his freedom of speech and creativity. He added that he can't be controlled and no amount of money can buy his integrity. He also added,

“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."

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After leaving America’s Got Talent in 2017, Nick Cannon ventured out of his career and returned to comedy, acting, and music. He is currently the host of The Masked Singer and winning over viewers with his charm.