Nick Cannon's followers on Instagram had mixed opinions about the large Jesus and cross tattoo he had done to cover a previous inking of "Mariah" following their split.

Cannon formerly had "Mariah" tattooed across his back in giant letters. But just weeks after his split from singer Mariah Carey hit headlines, he has been pictured with a brand new tattoo covering it over.

His new inking is of Jesus on the cross under what looks like a bird with its wings spread out.

Mariah has aroused suspicion about the reason for their split after modifying the lyrics in her rendition of Billie Holiday's song, Don't Explain, at a recent Tokyo concert, from "And I know you cheat / right or wrong, don't matter", to "I know you cheated, mother******".

Fans of Cannon were airing their views on his new tattoo on his Instagram page.

Instagram user Vogue205 said they were "praying for your family for peace & love" but also spoke of their disappointment.

"I'm always rooting for you Nick and I've been a fan for a long time. I just thought you covering up the Mariah tattoo was a bit of slap [sic] in the face for your family," they wrote.

"How come someone move on so quickly?? … Already moving with your life I find it hard to believe 6 years of marriage just gone like that. Much love Nick & family."

Latigerph was more sympathetic, defending Cannon against judgement from others and criticising the critics for acting like they know him.

"Let him who is without sin cast the first stone, only those who are faultless have the right to pass judgment upon others (implying that no one is faultless and that, therefore, no one has such a right to pass judgment)," she wrote.

MyJordan12 felt it was appropriate for people to comment on Cannon.

"That's what happens when you put yourself out there take your shirt off and show your new tattoo when you just said weeks ago you're committed to your wife so that's why people are commenting because they have a right to say what they want to say cuz he's putting out there for public opinion.

"They're not judgement what you see is what it is, he's out there partying he wants to show that he's no longer committed to Mariah by tattooing over her name."

keyskeyslynn added: "When we see u covering up Mariah's name on your back it like u don't care about her like u said or you would have kept it 2 yourself, not show the world. You don't stop loving someone [i]n a couple of months. Not Christian like at all."

The image that triggered the debate on Instagram was a quote shared by Cannon saying: "If You Do What You've Always Done You'll get What You've Always Gotten."