In a candid and emotional Netflix comedy special, "Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was," the renowned entertainer opened up about his near-death experience following a sudden medical crisis in April 2023. Filmed in Atlanta in October, the special details Foxx's journey from a debilitating headache to a weeks-long coma and his arduous road to recovery.
Foxx recounted the events of April 11th, when a seemingly innocuous headache quickly escalated into a life-threatening emergency. He lost consciousness before he could even take an aspirin, remaining in a coma for 20 days. During this time, his health deteriorated drastically, with his vitals plummeting to alarming levels.
His sister, Deidra Dixon, played a crucial role in his survival, recognizing the severity of his condition and persistently seeking further medical intervention. Her intuition led her to advocate for her brother, ultimately leading to the diagnosis of a brain bleed and subsequent stroke.
Following emergency surgery, Foxx's doctor acknowledged Dixon's persistence, stating that her prayers had been answered. While the exact cause of the stroke remained a mystery, the medical team anticipated a long and challenging recovery process. Foxx awoke on May 4th, unable to walk and initially believing his condition to be a prank.
A therapist's tough love helped Foxx confront the reality of his situation and spurred him towards recovery. He recounted the therapist's words, "Listen, you gotta knock this s--- off, this whole Jamie Foxx s---, stop this arrogant bulls---, that stroke doesn’t give a f--- about who you are." This served as a wake-up call, motivating Foxx to dedicate himself to his rehabilitation.
Throughout his ordeal, Foxx found solace in his family, particularly his daughters, Corinne and Anelise, and his sister. Corinne shielded him from unwanted visitors, wanting to protect him during his vulnerable state. Foxx also shared a touching anecdote about Anelise playing guitar for him during his coma, an act he credits with miraculously improving his vitals. He described it as a "spiritual defibrillator."
In a lighter moment, Foxx addressed online rumors linking Sean "Diddy" Combs to his hospitalization, dismissing them with humor. He also expressed gratitude for the support he received from his family and fans, emphasizing the importance of humor and faith in his recovery journey.
