I think it takes a strong man to be in a relationship with a

Hear the voice of Nick Cannon, who spoke not of conquest or wealth, but of love and strength: “I think it takes a strong man to be in a relationship with a strong woman. A lot of people hear the word ‘diva’ and think of it as a negative. I see it as a positive. I want somebody who knows what they want out of life and isn’t afraid to show it.” These words are a reminder that true partnership is not built on dominance or submission, but on mutual courage. To honor a strong woman is to honor the fire of determination, the clarity of vision, and the sacred gift of authenticity.

The meaning of this is profound: a strong man is not threatened by strength in others, but inspired by it. Weakness seeks to diminish, but strength recognizes and uplifts. Cannon reminds us that to stand beside a strong woman requires confidence, humility, and the ability to celebrate her light without fear of one’s own dimming. This is the essence of love that endures: not control, but respect; not rivalry, but alliance.

The word diva, so often used with scorn, is here reclaimed. Where others hear arrogance or vanity, Cannon hears clarity and passion. To be a diva, in his eyes, is to be someone who knows their worth, who demands excellence, who refuses to bow to smallness. This is not weakness cloaked in pride, but pride born of truth. For is it not better to walk with one who is sure of themselves than with one who lives in constant fear? Cannon calls us to shift our vision: to see strength, boldness, and self-assurance not as faults, but as virtues.

The ancients too knew the value of strong women. In Greece, there was Aspasia, partner of Pericles, whose wisdom influenced statesmen and philosophers. Though she was condemned by some as arrogant, her strength of voice shaped the Athens of her time. In Egypt, Cleopatra ruled as queen, commanding alliances and shaping empires. Many called her dangerous, but her brilliance and determination were undeniable. These women, like the “divas” of today, carried both admiration and scorn—but their strength could not be silenced.

History also gives us the tale of Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, who urged her husband to “remember the ladies” as the new nation was being forged. Though dismissed at times, her strength of mind and clarity of vision made her an equal partner in spirit, if not in law. She was a woman who knew what she wanted out of life and was not afraid to show it, just as Cannon celebrates. The men who stood beside such women were not diminished, but elevated, for greatness is magnified when it is shared.

The lesson, then, is this: seek not relationships where strength is feared, but where strength is honored. A true union is not one candle burning while the other hides, but two flames side by side, each illuminating the other. A strong man does not seek to extinguish a woman’s fire, nor does a strong woman seek to belittle her partner. Together, they create a blaze that warms and guides all who witness it.

Practical wisdom flows from here. Do not fear those who know what they want, but walk beside them. Celebrate clarity, passion, and vision in your partner and in yourself. Reframe words that the world uses as insults, and see the power within them. Above all, cultivate your own strength—not to overpower, but to stand confidently beside another’s. For the greatest relationships are not of control, but of collaboration.

Thus Nick Cannon’s words endure as a teaching for future generations: it takes strength to love strength, and greatness to honor greatness. Do not shrink from strong souls, but welcome them. For in their fire you will find both challenge and inspiration, and in their light you may discover the fullness of your own.