Jamie Foxx Gets Emotional in First Public Appearance Since Health Scare — Reveals He ‘Saw The Tunnel’: ‘I Wouldn’t Wish What I Went Through on My Worst Enemy’
On Monday, Jamie Foxx attended the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino, and AAPI Achievements in Los Angeles. The December 4 event marked his first in-person appearance since his health scare which occurred in April.
While at the event, Foxx gave a moving speech as he accepted his Vanguard Award for his performance in The Burial.
“I want to thank everybody. I’ve been through something. I’ve been through some things,” Foxx began saying while onstage. “It’s crazy, I couldn’t do that six months ago. I couldn’t actually walk too… It feels good to be here. I cherish every single minute now. It’s different. It’s different,” he added.
Speaking on his life-changing experience, the actor, 55, went on to say, “I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy, because it’s tough when you almost… When it’s almost over, when you see the tunnel.” He continued, “I saw the tunnel. I didn’t see the light! It was hot in that tunnel so I didn’t know where I was going. S—, am I going to the right place? I seen the devil goin ‘C’mon, now.’”
As scary as that sounds, Foxx tried to turn a serious situation into a lighthearted moment by joking and clarifying rumors that he’s not a copy of himself.
“I know a lot of people who were saying I was cloned out there. Boy, y’all ain’t s—,” he joked. “Black people, when we almost die or go through something like that, there’s two phrases, one of two phrases we say. One is, ‘Lord, have mercy, Jesus. Lord, have mercy, Jesus.'”
Before ending his speech, Foxx gave gave a sweet shout-out to his family and loved ones who were right by his side through his health scare.
“My sister and my daughter were so great at not letting anybody know anything that happened,” he said, adding that his good friends such as Lenny Kravitz, Fantasia and Taraji P Henson are people who you need in your corner. “I want to say six months ago I couldn’t fathom that this could happen or that I would be here, but as I walk up here to this microphone and get this Vanguard Award, all I can say is ‘Lord, have mercy, Jesus,'” he ended.
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More On What Happened To Jamie Foxx:
As we previously reported, in April his daughter, Corinne Foxx, shared a statement on Instagram, which has since been deleted. She announced that Foxx had some “medical complication.” At that time, several sources said to multiple outlets that Foxx’s health was in danger and that what he went through was serious. Apparently, it was so serious at the time that family members out of town came to the hospital where he was being held.
In May, the actor took it to Instagram to share how he “Appreciate[d] all the love!!! Feeling blessed.” This update definitely helped everyone to calm down.. a little bit.
Months later, fans were still concerned as Foxx hadn’t been seen publicly. However, he eventually made a video of himself where he thanked fans for their love and support during such a difficult time.
He stated, “I went through something that I thought I would never, ever go through. I know a lot of people were waiting or wanting to hear updates but to be honest with you, I just didn’t want you to see me like that man. I want you to see me laughing, having a good time partying, cracking a joke, doing a movie, television show. I didn’t want you to see me with tubes running out of me and trying to figure out if I was gonna make it through.”
He continued, “I went to hell and back, and my road to recovery had some potholes as well, but I’m coming back and I’m able to work.”
Foxx has seemingly made a full recovery.