What happened to Jamie Foxx? Details explored as the actor talks about health at the BET Awards

During the 2025 BET Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Jamie Foxx was awarded one of the evening's highest honors, the Ultimate Icon Award.

The actor, singer, and comedian took to the stage to receive the award following his nearly two-year absence from the public eye. He delivered a raw and emotional speech that not only looked back on his feted career but also on his life-threatening health emergency in 2023.

Jamie Foxx’s return was met with a standing ovation. Now, for the first time on such a public platform, Jamie Foxx addressed what really happened, sharing details of the medical emergency that changed his life forever.

Jamie Foxx revealed at the 2025 BET Awards that he suffered a brain bleed and stroke in 2023.

“I know my second chance, I’m not gonna turn down,” he told the audience, visibly emotional.

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Jamie Foxx opens up about his health during BET Awards 2025

While accepting the Ultimate Icon Award, Jamie Foxx publicly addressed the health incident that kept him out of the limelight for a long time. He shared that in April 2023, he experienced a brain hemorrhage that caused a stroke, an incident he termed life-changing and spiritually transformative.

Making a reference to the program's In Memoriam montage, he mentioned:

"When I saw the In Memoriam, I was like, man, it could have been me."

Jamie did not shy from the seriousness of his ordeal.

"I told [God], I said, man, just give me one more crack at this," he testified with tears in his eyes.

He talked about how, through recuperation, he relied on his faith, loved ones, and the community that came out to support him. He particularly talked about Black people, who he said, "held me down" even when he was silent regarding the severity of his condition.

He attributed his daughters, Anelise and Corinne, with their permanent presence and support, expressing gratitude to them.

The Oscar-winning actor also gave a wider interpretation on gratitude, stating that he did not know why this was occurring to him but considered it a second lease on life that he was determined to live up to.

"You can't go through something like that and not testify," he said.

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More details on Jamie Foxx explored

Prior to the health crisis, Foxx was a staple in Hollywood and the music world. Holding an Academy Award, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe, he has been one of the most multi-faceted talents in entertainment for years. However, in April 2023, Foxx was hospitalized after a medical complication, with scant official reporting in the months since.

There were rumors, speculation by fans, and public concern, particularly since Foxx stayed relatively in the background throughout most of that year.

It was not until his Netflix stand-up special Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… was released that the whole story started to come out. During the special, he explained that a brain bleed caused the stroke, forcing his immediate hospitalization and lengthy recovery.

He vanished from movie sets and red carpets for several months, putting his health and loved ones first. Jamie's return to the stage was not only physical, but was also profoundly emotional. His acceptance speech at the BET Awards came on the heels of a shift in his perception of recognition.

"The Icon Award is the most significant award because it comes from us," he mentioned, commenting on how awards within the Black community have a different sort of pull. Even though he is an Oscar winner and a repeat Grammy nominee, Foxx emphasized that this moment felt more intimate, more validating.

His long professional run includes comedy (beginning with In Living Color), television (The Jamie Foxx Show), movie work (Ray, Django Unchained, Collateral), and music, where he notched top-charting singles and a Grammy victory.

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Interested viewers can watch Jamie Foxx's speech during BET awards 2025 on the Paramount network.