Nick Cannon on Having Lupus: 'It Actually Drives Me'

Despite being diagnosed with lupus back in 2012, Nick Cannon says that the medical condition has not slowed him down. In fact, the media mogul says it has increased his drive to show others that having the disease does not have to diminish your quality of life.

The 33-year-old entertainer was diagnosed with lupus nephritis, an autoimmune condition that can cause mild or servere damage to the kidneys, according to Kidney.org. In an interview with HuffPost Live, he said that he uses the disease as a platform to educate and encourage others.

"It actually drives me. It was one of those things where, even when I first got sick, I told them to turn the cameras on, said Cannon, the host of NBC's "America's Got Talent." "I created the NCredible Health Hustle and I wanted to document this process because I wanted to inspire others that may be dealing with this condition or a similar condition. To say, you don't have to let it stop you."

Mariah Carey's husband went on to say that after being diagnosed, he began to take better care of his body and that his health has actually improved.

"I want to continue to educate, show people that you can live with this condition and similar conditions as long as you live right. And as long as you have that drive," he said. Cannon added, "I always say I've changed my test into a testimony. I just want to get out there and continue to educate and be that pillar in the community to say, 'hey, well he's doing it and he's strong when he does it.' So I feel like it's given me new purpose on this Earth, so I embrace it wholeheartedly."