Jamie Foxx fought back tears and was overcome with emotion as he accepted an award at the Critics Choice Association Awards Celebration of Cinema & Television Honoring Black, Latino & AAPI Achievements, on the night of Monday, December 4, 2023.
The 55-year-old movie icon was overcome with emotions as he accepted the Vanguard award from presenter and The Burial co-star Jurnee Smollett.
This is his first public appearance since he suffered a mysterious medical complication in April this year.
Foxx opened up about his health scare earlier this year after he received an overwhelming standing ovation from the audience as he walked across the stage.
“You know, it’s crazy, I couldn’t do that six months ago – I couldn’t actually walk,” Foxx began his 12-minute speech, before pausing due to being overcome with emotion.
Related stories
“I’m not a clone, I’m not a clone. I know a lot of people who were saying I was cloned out there,” he quipped. “I want to thank everybody. I’ve been through something, I’ve been through some things.
“I cherish every single minute now — it’s different,” he shared. “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.”
“I have a new respect for life. I have a new respect for my art. 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,” he added.
According to Fox, he went to “hell and back”. He took the opportunity to praise his sister, Deidra Dixon, and his daughter Corinne Foxx, for saving his life.
“I went through something I thought I would never, ever go through,” Foxx said, informing his 16 million followers he’s not “blind” or “paralyzed.”
“I know a lot of people were waiting or wanting to hear an update, but to be honest with you, I didn’t want you to see me like that, man,” he admitted with tears in his eyes.
“I want you to see me laughing, having a good time, partying, cracking a joke, doing a movie or a television show. I didn’t want you to see me with tubes running out of me and trying to figure out if I was going to make it through.”
Even though those who are close to Foxx have been tightlipped on the exact cause of this health issue, his daughter, Corrine, revealed that in April, her father fell ill in the middle of production of his upcoming movie, Back In Action.