In an episode of “Counsel Culture,” Iyanla Vanzant and host Nick Cannon explore the nuanced conversation surrounding black men, particularly famous black men, and their ability to heal in the public eye.
On August 11, Cannon shared an unreleased clip from the February 2024 meeting titled “Healing In Public,” in which the two discussed whether comedian and actor Bill Cosby could possibly be healed of his demons.
“We have some demons,” Cannon said, before finally asking Vanzant “how we should deal with them.” She replied, “Well, first of all, don’t call them demons and don’t judge them as bad or wrong. All things are lessons that God wants to teach us.” Cannon later replied, “I think we have to call them by their name. Bill Cosby has some demons.”
The “demons” Cannon was likely referring to were the numerous allegations of drugging and sexually assaulting women between 1965 and 2004. In 2018, Cosby, who admitted to having casual sex with women and using the sedative Quaalude, was found guilty of three counts of aggravated sexual assault against former Temple University employee Andrea Constand. Cosby was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison, but in 2021 his conviction was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for violating his due process rights.
Cannon said Cosby had to be battling “demons” to behave this way for so many years, but Vanzant did not think it was appropriate to place all the blame on him.
“Is this a demon or is this a broken little boy who became a damaged man who was out to get people money. So they took advantage of his weaknesses and kept quiet about it for their own benefit?” Vanzant said, questioning Cannon’s thoughts on the comedy legend. She was quick to clarify that she wasn’t justifying anything he allegedly did, but rather causing people to take a closer look. “Was he a broken little boy? Do we know who betrayed him? Do we know what his pain was?” she asked.
The two traded the idealistic roles Cosby played throughout his illustrious career before agreeing that no one has probably ever asked him, “How are you feeling?”
Comments on the Instagram post sharing the clip reflected differing views on Vanzant and Cannon’s views.
One follower understood Cannon’s stance on taking responsibility: “I mean, I have to agree with Nick on this one!! These evil spirits are known to roam around… and right is right and wrong is wrong. At some point you have to know better. Learn to fight those demons!!!!”
Another felt Cosby had financial access to much-needed help. “He had millions of dollars to seek help. He was not a slave sent out to work for others. She needs to stop that.”
Another saw Cannon’s resistance to Vanzant’s argument as an avoidance of his own inner healing. “She spoke truth to power. If you don’t heal the hurt little boy, he becomes a hurt man whose actions are 95% from the perspective of a child. When you judge Nick like that without knowing the full scope, you’re showing your wounds, buddy. He failed you because someone failed little Nick.”
Dr. Cheyenne Bryant, a life coach and psychologist who appeared on MTV’s Teen Mom, sided with Vanzant. “They used his pain and trauma for entertainment and when THEY saw fit, they used that same pain and trauma to exploit him. That’s a common narrative for many black men. Great insight @iyanlavanzant.”
Several comments disagreed or disagreed with Cannon or Vanzant, but praised the conversation and the way the two handled it.
