Nick Cannon calls Mariah Carey his 'hero' and 'angel'

Deborah Kim

Actress Mariah Carey (L), star of the new film "Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire," poses with husband Nick Cannon at the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of the film in Hollywood November 1, 2009. REUTERS/Fred Prouser (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)

Mariah Carey may be a diva, but shes a caring one.

Access Hollywood reported the Shake It Off singer and husband Nick Cannon made their first public appearance since Cannon was hospitalized for a mild kidney failure (his wifes words) last week.

The two were at the 2012 BET Honors awards on Saturday in Washington, D.C.

According to People, the 31-year-old Americas Got Talent host presented his wife with the Entertainer Award and called her his hero and my angel.

"When times are hard, you guys don't see her at 3 o'clock in the morning, getting up in the middle of the night, fixing me soup when my kidneys ain't acting right. Mariah Carey does that, he said.

Their 8-month-old son, Moroccan, was also on stage when Carey received the award, dressed in an adorable mini tuxedo.

"It is truly, truly a blessing to be here tonight, and I am humbled and in awe of everyone's presence, but mostly my hero right there," Cannon said as his 42-year-old wife sat in the front row.

"What most people don't get the opportunity to experience is the true woman; the virtuous person who is my angel."

There was also a little joking on stage, with Carey explaining their daughter Monroe Cannon was back stage and that both mom and daughter had been sewn into our dresses, so she couldnt make it out.

But Cannon quickly responded that the reason she wasnt on stage was because shes a diva like her mama.

The BET Honors awards show airs F! eb. 13 a t 9 p.m. on the network.