Nick Cannon has admitted Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas is “amazing” but insists he has “no right” to speak about their rumored relationship.
The “America’s Got Talent” host — who has 5-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with estranged wife Mariah Carey — has been romantically linked with the TLC singer in recent weeks, and though he admitted she is “amazing,” he claims it is “not his place” to discuss their relationship.
He told Billboard magazine’s Overheard column: “I have no right to speak about [this] out of respect for her and everybody in the situation. You’ve got to ask her. It’s not my place as a man.”
While it was recently claimed Nick, 35, and 46-year-old Chilli have been “hanging out romantically,” an insider insisted they are not in an exclusive relationship.
A source said: “Nick and Chilli [have] been hanging out on the low. [They’ve] been friends for some time and just recently this summer they have been hanging out romantically.
“Chilli is a very mature woman that’s been around the music industry for some time and gets it. Nick has always had a crush on her growing up. He thinks she is beautiful.
“They are not an exclusive couple at this time just casually hanging out and seeing where things go.”
Nick — who has been friends with Chilli for several years — was previously linked to Nicole Murphy late last year, but a few months ago insisted he doesn’t have time to date.
“When can I focus on that? I’m not comfortable being [a] boyfriend,” he said.
Although he and Mariah had an amicable split, Nick previously admitted he doubts he will marry again.
“I feel like marriage isn’t for everyone. A friend of mine put it the funniest way. He said, ‘If you heard that there was a 50/50 chance of living or dying when you jump out of a plane, you probably wouldn’t go skydiving,’ ” he said.
“There’s like a 50/50 chance of a marriage working. If it didn’t work out for you the first time, and you still survived it, you probably shouldn’t do it again.”
