Jamie Foxx Tears Up in First Public Appearance Since Health Scare: “Its Different Now”

We’ve all been following actor, singer and entertainer Jamie Foxx lately since his health scare that many say, including himself, nearly took his life. Recently, the “They Cloned Tyrone” star received a surprise award at a Critics Choice event, saying that “I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy” after going through his medical issue.

Foxx received the Vanguard Award for his performance in hit Amazon movie, The Burial, based on a true story and took to the stage to accept his award. In his acceptance speech, in pure Jamie Foxx fashion, he shared some great jokes and laughs, but also got really emotional when discussing everything he faced this year.

“I couldn’t do that six months ago, I couldn’t actually walk to [the stage]. And I’m not a clone, I’m not a clone. I know a lot of people saying that I was cloned out there,” he jokingly told the crowd at the Fairmont Plaza Hotel in Century City.

“It feels good to be here. I cherish every single minute now, it’s different. I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it’s tough when it’s almost over, when you see the tunnel. I saw the tunnel, I didn’t see the light. It was hot in that tunnel too, I don’t know where I was going. ‘Shit, am I going to the right place?’”

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Foxx was given his award at the start of the show, but unlike the rest of the recipients, his honor was not announced ahead of time.

“The Burial” star went on to thank his friends and fans for their outpouring of support and prayers.

“The one thing that I have to get used to now is the ‘Lord, have mercy, Jesus,'” which is what he says people will utter when they see him in person. “I have a new respect for life, I have a new respect for my art,” he continued.

He also told The Hollywood Reporter on Monday. “I watched so many movies and listened to so many songs trying to have the time go by.”

“Don’t give up on your art, man, don’t give up on your art. When you realize that it could be over like that… I got to tell you don’t give up on your art and don’t let them take the art from you either.”

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Foxx is still recovering from what his team had been calling a “medical complication” that took him off the film set in April. While we are still waiting on what exactly the issue was, many speculate that it could have been a stroke.

According to the Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 50 percent more likely to have a stroke (cerebrovascular disease), as compared to their white adult counterparts. Black men are 70 percent more likely to die from a stroke as compared to non-Hispanic whites.

Not all the reasons are clear why Black people have an increased risk of stroke. We do know that there is a higher number of risk factors and societal challenges that may underlie new cases of stroke in Black Americans.

The experience of racism results in chronic discrimination, stress, and depression that adversely impacts Black Americans. Excessive stress can lead to long-lasting and cumulative damage to the body and brain, resulting in deteriorating health in early adulthood among Black populations. Stroke risk factors in Black Americans include:

• High blood pressure — Over half of Black adults have high blood pressure. It develops earlier in Black people and is often more difficult to manage.
• Overweight and obesity — Almost 70% of black men and over 80% of black women are overweight or obese.
• Diabetes — African Americans are more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.
• Sickle cell anemia — This common genetic disorder in African Americans is a risk factor for stroke.
• High cholesterol — Nearly 25% of Black people have high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
• Smoking — Over 14% of black adults smoke, increasing their risk of stroke two- to fourfold.
• Not exercising regularly — On average, fewer than half of Black adults meet the weekly goal of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (or a combination of both), which increases their stroke risk.
• Stress — African American adults face daily stressors that may increase risk for stroke.

It’s unclear if Foxx will be returning to shoot additional scenes for his film Back In Action, which continued filming with Diaz and stand-ins filling in for him.