Back in April, Jamie Foxx was hospitalized for a “medical complication.” Rumors swirled about what happened, but we still don’t know the nature of his medical emergency. Weeks after that, unsubstantiated reports came out that Jamie was allegedly on death’s door and his family was preparing for the worst. His daughter Corinne shut those rumors down and said he was out of the hospital, recovering so well he was even playing pickle ball. Jamie also posted to Instagram to thank everyone for the well wishes. Then Corinne announced that she and her dad were going to host a musical celebrity game show. Since then we haven’t had any updates on his health. But this past Saturday he posted a video on Instagram where he addressed rumors of blindness and paralysis (neither of which are true), thanked his family for saving his life, and explained why he stayed out of the spotlight. He didn’t want people to see him in a weakened state “with tubes” coming out of his body.
Jamie Foxx is letting fans know he’s on the road to recovery.
The Ray star, 55, took to Instagram on Saturday morning to share a video in which he spoke about the “medical complication” that caused him to be hospitalized back in April. While he didn’t specify what the condition was that forced him to seek medical attention, Foxx chose to focus on his gratitude for those who carried him through the ordeal.
Alongside a caption that read “Thank u a billion to everybody… been a long road but all the prayers great people and God got me through,” Foxx went on to explain why he stayed so quiet during the experience.
“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,” he shared, speaking directly into the camera. “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.”
Foxx credited his family’s discerning nature in the three-minute video, noting how great it felt that “they kept it airtight, they didn’t let nothing out, they protected me, and that’s what I hope that everyone could have in moments like these.”
The actor used the opportunity to dispel any rumors that have revolved since his emergency first occurred, including claims that he suffered from paralysis and vision impairment.
“As you can see, the eyes are working, the eyes are working just fine,” he said. “I’m not paralyzed, but … 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’s statement on Saturday was one brimming with gratitude. Foxx thanked “a lot of great medical people,” as well as the legions of fans and friends who shared their prayers.
“I wanna say thank you to everybody that’s prayed, man, and sent me messages. I cannot even begin to tell you how far it took me and how it brought me back.”
He concluded by sharing that he “loves everybody and I love all of the love that I got,” he added. “If you see me out from now on and every once in a while I just burst into tears, it’s just because it’s been tough, man. I was sick, man. But now I got my legs under me, so you’re gonna see me out.”
I completely understand why Jamie didn’t want anyone to see him while he wasn’t doing well. I think that’s how most people would feel but it’s especially relevant for a celebrity who is always trying to project a certain image. Some people commented on my previous coverage of this story that there is an insurance aspect to why he’s kept the nature of his health problems under wraps. As in, they think whatever happened could have rendered him un-insurable for future projects and that’s why he doesn’t want anyone to know. I could see that but I think it has more to do with image management. I also think there are cultural expectations about men being stoic and not showing any weakness, and there’s a racial element to that because Black men are expected to be hyper-masculine. They’re judged more harshly for being vulnerable. Jamie gets emotional in the video and I think he is still working through trauma about what happened. I’m so glad he’s recovering and doing better–it sounds like whatever happened was incredibly scary and life-threatening.
Photos credit: JPI Studios / Avalon and via Instagram
May he continue to recover and grow stronger
Glad he’s doing better. He has the right to privacy and to control what information about his personal health he wants out there. I’m glad those in his inner circle respected that.
“He has the right to privacy and to control what information about his personal health he wants out there.” Completely agree with that statement. As for image management, he’s addressed reports of hospitalization by acknowledging it happened, expressed thanks. Wish him good health. End.
I agree, except the anti-vaxxers have gone full conspiracy series that the jab nearly killed him. I think he should directly refute that nonsense.
Exactly this. And frankly the entitlement so many folks have shown in regards to info about his personal health information just proves why he was smart to keep it private. A lot of folks then think celebs “owe” them information. It’s creepy and weird because if someone were asking for THEIR personal health info they would be offended.
That took a lot of courage to be vulnerable and speak out the way he did.
Nothing but love, respect and continued prayers for a full recovery.
Absolutely hate all the speculation he/his family had to endure; but given the way our community commented on Chadwick’s appearance when he briefly had a video posted during his (at the time, unpublicized) cancer treatments, I don’t blame Jamie or his family in the least for taking no chances.
His bravery, energy and focus needed to be on his healing and recovery; and thanks to his family/team, it was able to be.
So happy he has THIS kind of circle around him; it really shines a brighter (more negative) light on those who don’t.
Whatever happened must have been scary, and I’m glad he’s recovering!
Glad he’s feeling better and on the mend. I don’t agree with his daughter basically lying to everyone and saying he was just fine. Off playing pickleball even tho now he’s saying he was seriously ill. I understand the desire for privacy, especially at a time like that. But surely they could have done that in a way that didn’t require people to lie.
FWIW, many people play sports in rehab. I have fond memories of seeing my elderly Mom competitively wielding a hockey stick when she was in an intensive rehab hospital.
I’m not sure where the exact boundaries of “basically lying” might be, but I certainly understand the desire for privacy— particularly about health matters, and the extreme stress and pressure that goes along with having to both honor the wishes of a critically ill parent while providing limited information to people who demand it under the guise of caring concern.
I’m guessing stroke, but clearly if Jamie doesn’t want anyone to know then we don’t need to know. It’s sad that he even felt obligated to say he didn’t want his fans to see him with tubes coming out of him. There shouldn’t even be that kind of expectation for a movie star toward their fans. No one is owed that. Share what you choose to share, if you choose to share at all.
I’m still surprised that Jamie’s PR team did not shut down his “friends” from running to social media with “update” and “speculations” for weeks which, of course was gonna bring media attention.
Glad he’s in a better place.
I’m with everyone else who wishes him well. I can speculate based on the rehab clinic that there was some sort of event that caused a neurological injury and to be honest, he looks thin and not all that healthy yet, but if he chooses to keep things private then that’s how it should be.
I simply said a prayer for his recovery; I am happy that he is doing so much better…..
That’s all I needed to know….
It may have been a cardiac event given that his speech is excellent and he reports not having any paralysis. Cardiac would still require rehab and he looks like he has lost weight, so maybe a cardiac diet. Cardiac is also easier to comeback from than anything but a mild stroke.