[Thisstorycontainsspoilersfrom[Thisstorycontainsspoilersfrom[Thisstorycontainsspoilersfrom[ThisstorycontainsspoilersfromJamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…]
Jamie Foxx is finally sharing details of his six-month disappearance from the spotlight due to a health emergency back in April 2023. At the time, Foxx was hospitalized for an undisclosed medical complication, with few details shared as to explain what happened to the oscar-winning actor.
Though titled Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… on Netflix and labeled a comedy special, foxx’s reveal is bigger than its billing. (He even picked up an early 2025 Golden Globe nomination for the special.) Through a mixture of laughter, music, and sobering truth, Foxx explains what happened to him to the best of his recollection, getting candid about his rehab and recovery process. For the special, he returned to Atlanta, which is where he suddenly fell ill while filming the Netflix comedy Back in Action, also starring Cameron Diaz.Atlanta,he reveals,is also where he started doing comedy back in 1991. So he is very much getting back to basics, classifying how he snatched his life back from death as a “come-back-to-God” moment.
The special begins with videos of fans speculating about Foxx’s illness. His daughter, corinne Foxx, then takes the stage to thank the audience for coming.“This is a special moment for me and my family.It is indeed a blessing to even be here,” she says, before introducing her dad with a rousing, “Give it up for my dad, the real Jamie Motherfucking Foxx.” The curtain rises, and there is Foxx with shades on and hands in heart emojis over his chest expressing his love for the crowd.
Foxx walks out with a fist raised, and the audience frantically cheers his return. It’s so emotional he wipes away tears. “You have no idea how good this feels,” he says as he basks in the moment, shouting, “Atlanta, I’m back” and dancing between tears. “I was fighting for my life, but I’m here in front of you.” When he says, “Atlanta saved my life,” the crowd responds to his “God is good” and “all the time.” The exchange is a recognition of his Black, Southern roots and that he is right at home.
“The internet tried to kill me,though,” he continues,in the moment that would go on to spawn headlines about the special around Foxx and Sean “Diddy” Combs. “They said I was paralyzed. They said I couldn’t walk. Well, look at me now,” he says, as he dances to Unk’s “Walk it Out.” He then refers to the unsubstantiated online
Foxx soon changes to a more serious tone as he shares that “we still don’t know what happened to me” a little over six minutes into the special. Recounting what he knows about what happened to him on April 11,2023,he turns somber,again growing emotional as he sits down to say,“What had happened was…” and explains how it all began with him having a very bad headache.
There,a doctor wearing a L.A. lakers jersey let her know that her big brother was having a “brain bleed” that led to a stroke and that he needed immediate surgery. Needless to say, the comedy pauses here. But it’s Jamie Foxx, so as he talks of his sister saving his life, he says, “sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying,” and he does just that as he alludes to dying and coming back. (He makes another Diddy joke,saying the devil “or perhaps Puffy” was waiting for him at the end of the tunnel.)
What he describes is harrowing. The doctor told his sister that he may make a full recovery from the stroke, but it’s going to be the “worst year of his life.” He says that’s why he disappeared from public view and credits his family for protecting him during his recovery. On May 4, he woke up and found himself in a wheelchair and had no idea why.
Accepting his condition wasn’t easy, as he admits to initially letting his ego get in the way of his recovery, which was significant during his stay in chicago.“That’s old man stuff,” he says of learning how dire his condition was. He depicts the hard road ahead, while at first joking about wanting to keep his “pickle” private from his female nurse before finding out she had already been bathing him for a month and a half, and crediting a superwoman named Holly for coaching him, Karate Kid-style, to find his will to fight.
Eventually,he saw a psychiatrist,which led him to deep conversations with God.In that exchange, he admits it took a minute to adjust his attitude and fight back. To do so,he took the only route he knew how to get well,and that’s humor.
“if I can stay funny, I can stay alive” became his mantra.
Looking back, he says of his vitals that they feared he would die in the first 15 days. He credits his turnaround to his teenage daughter, Anelise, sneaking into his hospital room and playing her guitar, and she then takes the stage to play her guitar to the audience’s delight and his father’s cheering. Foxx shares his personal testimony in a speaking song, magnifying the power and grace of God during his illness.
resuming the humor portion of his show, he recounts some post-recovery encounters with rapper T.I. and Halle Berry,and goes through his memorable roles from Any Given Sunday,Ali,Ray,Django,and even Rio before launching into his own hit songs as a singer. For his finale, he returns to the piano to share a tailor-made testimony about his “second chance,” including Foxx having to debunk rumors that he was “cloned” when spotted during his recovery, before returning to a spirit of gratitude.
that spirit of thanks dominates in the Netflix special.Billing this as a “comedy special” doesn’t seem quite right for the show, which is more akin to LeBron James The Decision, when he left Cleveland for Miami, only more entertaining. While it’s raw and at times uneven, there is significant potential for a one-man show, perhaps on Broadway, should Foxx ever want to revisit this challenging and perhaps defining moment. For now, however, this special offers insight that no daytime TV or late-night talk show rounds ever could.
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… is now streaming on Netflix.
How can humor and spirituality aid in the recovery process after a serious health crisis?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Medical Expert on Jamie Foxx’s Health Crisis and Recovery
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our interview today! We’re diving into the fascinating and deeply personal journey of Jamie Foxx, who recently opened up about his six-month absence from the public eye due to a serious health issue. Joining me is Dr. emily Carter, a renowned neurologist and expert in stroke recovery. dr. Carter, thank you for being here.
dr.Emily Carter (DEC): Thank you for having me! It’s an critically important topic,and Jamie Foxx’s story sheds light on critical health issues many may not fully understand.
TNE: absolutely. Jamie’s Netflix special, titled Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…, just premiered, and from what we certainly know, he began with a serious health scare—a brain bleed that led to a stroke. Can you explain to our audience what a brain bleed is and the implications it has?
DEC: A brain bleed,or hemorrhagic stroke,occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures,causing bleeding in or around the brain. This creates pressure on the brain tissue, which can lead to damage. Symptoms can vary widely, but they often include sudden headache, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.Immediate medical attention is crucial.
TNE: Jamie mentioned that his issues started with a very bad headache. How common is this experiance for patients with brain bleeds?
DEC: It’s actually quite common for patients to experience severe headaches prior to a hemorrhagic stroke. Often, patients describe it as the worst headache of their life. This is sometimes referred to as a “thunderclap headache.” The headache is a meaningful warning sign that should never be ignored.
TNE: Fascinating—and terrifying.He spoke about his health scare in an emotional and humorous way,intertwining laughter with serious revelations about his condition. How important is it for patients and their families to maintain this balance of humor and seriousness during recovery?
DEC: Humor can be a powerful tool in healing. It helps to alleviate stress and can improve emotional health. For many, laughter can enhance the recovery process and foster a supportive habitat. That said, it’s essential to address the seriousness of the condition too, as Jamie did, by acknowledging the gravity of what happened without losing hopeful energy.
TNE: Jamie described his experience as a “come-back-to-God” moment. How does spirituality or having a strong support network influence recovery in cases like his?
DEC: Spirituality and community support can significantly affect recovery outcomes. Studies show that individuals who have strong social support tend to fare better after serious health crises. Faith and spirituality often provide motivation and a sense of purpose during rehabilitation, giving patients somthing to believe in beyond their immediate circumstances.
TNE: He mentioned that the internet “tried to kill him” with rumors regarding his health, like claims he was paralyzed. In a world that’s constantly connected thru social media, how can this misinformation impact patients mentally and physically?
DEC: Misinformation can be incredibly damaging. For patients,it can cause anxiety,exacerbate stress,and even lead to feelings of depression. The constant buzz of uncertainty can interfere with the healing process. It’s vital for patients to focus on accurate data and rely on their healthcare providers for guidance.
TNE: Jamie expressed deep gratitude towards atlanta and the support from his audience upon returning to the stage. In recovery, how critically important is a sense of belonging and familiarity for patients?
DEC: A sense of belonging can be profoundly healing. Familiar environments, like returning to Atlanta for Jamie, can evoke comfort and stability that support emotional well-being. It reinforces connections to one’s identity, which can greatly aid in recovery.
TNE: As we wrap up, what key takeaways from Jamie’s experience could benefit individuals facing similar health challenges?
DEC: first, listen to your body—don’t ignore concerning symptoms like intense headaches. Second, foster a supportive community around you; it can make a real difference. And don’t shy away from using humor as a coping mechanism—it’s okay to laugh while navigating tough times.
TNE: Thank you, Dr.Carter, for shedding light on this critically important subject and helping us understand Jamie Foxx’s journey more deeply. We appreciate your insights!
DEC: Thank you for having me! It’s crucial to spread awareness on these topics, and I hope Jamie’s story inspires others facing health challenges.