[The following article contains spoilers from Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…]
Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx has finally divulged the story behind his six-month absence from the public eye due to a health crisis back in April 2023. Foxx was admitted to the hospital for an unknown health issue, and until now, minimal information has been released regarding the incident involving the renowned actor.
Although the Netflix special Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… is labeled as a comedy special, it reveals more than just laughter. In addition to securing an early 2025 Golden Globe nomination, Foxx has used this platform to provide a detailed account of his experience, seamlessly combining humor, music, and stark reality. For this unique retrospective, Foxx returned to Atlanta, the city where he was filming the Netflix comedy Back in Action with co-star Cameron Diaz when he fell ill. Interestingly, Atlanta is also where Foxx began his comedy career in 1991, making this a full-circle moment as he revisits his comedy roots while sharing his journey back to life, a journey he describes as a “come-back-to-God” moment.
The special kicks off with fan videos speculating about Foxx’s mysterious illness. His daughter, Corinne Foxx, then graces the stage to express her gratitude to the audience. She introduces her father with a spirited, “Give it up for my dad, the real Jamie Motherfucking Foxx.” The curtain lifts to reveal Foxx, sunglasses on, hands forming heart emojis over his chest, expressing his affection for the crowd.
Foxx makes his entrance with a fist in the air, the audience erupts in cheers at his return. Overwhelmed by emotion, he wipes away tears, exclaiming, “You have no idea how good this feels.” Foxx revels in the moment, declaring, “Atlanta, I’m back” and dances amidst his tears. As he acknowledges his fight for survival, he shouts, “Atlanta, saved my life,” to which the crowd responds with chants of “God is good” and “all the time.” This exchange is a nod to his African-American, Southern heritage, signaling that he is back where he belongs.
He then discusses his ordeal with the internet, which led to numerous headlines involving Foxx and Sean “Diddy” Combs. “They said I was paralyzed. They said I couldn’t walk. Well, look at me now,” he retorts, dancing to Unk’s “Walk it Out.” He addresses unfounded online rumors that Diddy was linked to his hospitalization. He quips, “The internet said that Puffy tried to kill me, that’s what the internet was saying,” adding a jest about Diddy’s notorious parties: “I left them parties early… I was out by nine.”
Six minutes into the special, Foxx adopts a more serious demeanor as he admits that “we still don’t know what happened to me.” He begins to recount what he knows about the events on April 11, 2023, becoming emotional as he explains how it all started with a severe headache.
“I don’t remember 20 days,” he shares. His narrative is relatable, as he talks about a doctor who initially dismissed his symptoms. His sister, Deidra Dixon, though, recognized his abnormal behavior and took him to Atlanta’s Piedmont Hospital.
A doctor there, clad in a L.A. Lakers jersey, informed Deidra that Foxx was suffering from a “brain bleed” leading to a stroke and needed immediate surgery. This marks a pause in the comedy. As Foxx talks about his sister saving his life, he comments, “Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying,” and does just that as he hints at his near-death experience.
The situation he describes is chilling. The doctor informed his sister that, while he could fully recover from the stroke, it would be the “worst year of his life.” This led to Foxx retreating from the public eye, a decision he attributes to his family’s support throughout his recovery. On May 4, he woke up in a wheelchair, clueless as to why.
Coming to terms with his condition was not easy. Foxx admits that his ego initially hindered his recovery process during his stay in Chicago. He refers to the severity of his condition as “old man stuff,” while providing a glimpse into his challenging journey. Despite initial reservations about his privacy, he credits a woman named Holly for coaching him through recovery, drawing a parallel with the Karate Kid.
Eventually, Foxx consulted a psychiatrist, leading to profound conversations with God. He admits that adjusting his attitude and fighting back took some time. However, he found solace in humor, the only method he knew could aid his recovery.
“If I can stay funny, I can stay alive” became his mantra.
Infusing humor into his narrative, he impersonates famous personalities like Denzel Washington, Dave Chappelle, Mike Tyson, Jay-Z, and even President-elect Donald Trump. His unique blend of pop culture references, both old and new, serves to deliver a personal testimony of his journey from illness to recovery.
Reflecting on the past, Foxx reveals that the doctors feared he might not survive the first 15 days. He attributes his recovery to his teenage daughter Anelise, who snuck into his hospital room to play her guitar. She later takes the stage to play her guitar, much to the delight of the audience and her father. Foxx narrates his personal ordeal through a speaking song, emphasizing the power and grace of God during his illness.
Returning to the humor aspect of his show, he recalls post-recovery encounters with rapper T.I. and Halle Berry, and reminisces about his memorable roles in films such as Any Given Sunday, Ali, Ray, Django, and even Rio before performing his own hit songs. For his finale, Foxx revisits the piano to share a custom testimony about his “second chance,” debunking rumors of being “cloned” during his recovery, and expressing his gratitude.
The spirit of gratitude permeates the Netflix special. Although billed as a “comedy special,” the show resembles LeBron James’s The Decision when he left Cleveland for Miami, only more entertaining. Despite its raw and occasional unevenness, the potential for a one-man Broadway show is evident, should Foxx choose to revisit this challenging yet possibly defining moment. For now, this special provides insights that daytime TV or late-night talk shows could never achieve.
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You can now stream Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… on Netflix.
FAQs
What is Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… about?
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… is a Netflix special where Jamie Foxx shares his journey of recovery from a health crisis that kept him out of the public eye for six months.
Where can I watch Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…?
You can stream Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… on Netflix.
What happened to Jamie Foxx?
Jamie Foxx suffered from a “brain bleed” leading to a stroke, necessitating immediate surgery. His recovery was a lengthy process, during which he was out of the public for about a year.
Who is Jamie Foxx?
Jamie Foxx is an Oscar-winning actor known for his roles in films like Ray and Django Unchained. He is also a talented singer and comedian.
Credit: www.hollywoodreporter.com
