Nick Cannon spent what would have been his late son Zen’s 5th birthday surrounded by family, marking the occasion with intimate celebration and remembrance. The entertainer gathered with coparent Alyssa Scott, their daughter Halo Marie, and close relatives on June 23 to honor Zen, who passed away at just five months old from a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.

The group dressed in white and gathered on a beach with photographs of Zen displayed throughout the space. Later, they shared a cake ceremony in a backyard setting—a quiet, meaningful way to mark a milestone birthday that would never come to pass.

Cannon shared images from the celebration on social media, captioning the post with a Bible verse from 2 Corinthians 4:6 and writing, “Zen’s Light will forever shine in our hearts. We love you my son ❤️🕊️🙏🏾.” The tender tribute reflected the lasting bond between father and son, even in absence.

Cannon and Scott welcomed their daughter Halo after Zen’s death in December 2022, a period during which the entertainer became father to multiple children with several partners. In total, he has 12 children with six different women—a fact that’s become central to public conversation about his personal life.

Among his children are 15-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, whom he shares with ex-wife Mariah Carey. Between 2017 and 2022, he welcomed additional children with Brittany Bell, Abby De La Rosa, Bre Tiesi, LaNisha Cole, and Scott. Nick Cannon has since indicated that he’s likely finished expanding his family.