Jamie Foxx has shared the details of his six-month absence from the public eye, which was due to a health emergency in April 2023, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Foxx was hospitalized for an undisclosed medical issue, with little information provided about his condition until now. In his Netflix comedy special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was..., Foxx reveals more than what the title suggests. The special even earned him an early 2025 Golden Globe nomination.

During the show, Foxx explains his health ordeal through music and candid truths about his treatment and recovery. He returned to Atlanta for the special, the city where he fell ill while filming the Netflix comedy Back in Action, co-starring Cameron Diaz. Foxx also mentions that Atlanta is where he started his comedy career in 1991, making it a return to his roots. He describes his recovery as a "come-back-to-God" moment, reflecting on how he fought for his life.

The special opens with videos of fans speculating about Foxx's illness. His daughter, Corinne Foxx, then takes the stage to thank the audience, saying, "This is a special moment for me and my family. It is a blessing to even be here." She introduces her father with a heartfelt, "Give it up for my dad, the real Jamie Foxx." The curtain rises to reveal Foxx wearing shades and making heart gestures, expressing his gratitude to the crowd, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

"You have no idea how good this feels," Foxx said, basking in the moment, shouting "Atlanta, I'm back" and dancing with tears in his eyes. "I was fighting for my life, but I'm here in front of you." When he said, "Atlanta, saved my life," the crowd responded with "God is good" and "all the time." This exchange highlights his connection to his Black, Southern roots and his sense of belonging.

Foxx added, "we still don't know what happened to me" just over six minutes into the special. He recounts the events of April 11, 2023, starting with a severe headache. "I don't remember 20 days," he said. His story is poignant, as the first doctor dismissed his symptoms. However, his sister, Deidra Dixon, recognized that something was wrong and drove him to multiple hospitals until they stopped at Atlanta's Piedmont.

There, a doctor wearing an L.A. Lakers jersey diagnosed him with a "brain bleed" that led to a stroke, requiring immediate surgery. Foxx shared how his sister's persistence saved him, saying, "Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying." He humorously alludes to his near-death experience and coming back to life. The doctor told his sister that he might fully recover from the stroke, but it would be the "worst year of his life." This explains his absence from the public eye, as he credits his family for shielding him during his recovery.

On May 4, Foxx woke up in a wheelchair, unaware of why. Accepting his situation was challenging, as he initially let his ego hinder his progress. "That's old man stuff," he says, reflecting on how dire his condition was. He eventually sought help from a psychiatrist and used humor as his coping mechanism, adopting the mantra, "If I can stay funny, I can stay alive."

Throughout the special, Foxx leans into his humor by impersonating Denzel Washington, Dave Chappelle, Mike Tyson, and Jay-Z. This blend of pop culture references, both old and new, serves as a personal testimony of his illness and healing journey. Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was... is now streaming on Netflix.

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