Nick Cannon is back in the headlines, but let’s not pretend this is a surprise for anyone who’s been following celebrity culture. The story of Cannon dining at Nobu Malibu with Abby De La Rosa is being spun as some kind of romantic romp. Major outlets, including NBC and TMZ, are serving up this angle like it’s hot gossip when, in reality, it’s the same tiresome narrative of celebrity excess and family dynamics we’ve seen a million times. So let’s dissect this.

First off, why is the media fixated on this? Is it because we live in a world where familial ties are celebrated as if they’re some kind of virtue? I’m not dismissing the importance of family, but Cannon’s “dinner dates” border on absurdity when you consider the context of his numerous relationships and children. CNN and Buzzfeed might dress this up as romantic evolution or a modern family success story, but what they’re really doing is glamorizing a situation that should raise eyebrows.

It’s absurd how mainstream media can treat this as lighthearted celebrity gossip when deep-seated issues like accountability and responsibility are swept under the rug. There’s nothing “trendy” about a man juggling multiple relationships and families—yet here we are. Will they ever question the real implications behind this so-called “love life,” or is it just too entertaining to care? Don’t hold your breath waiting for these outlets to challenge the status quo.