Actor Jamie Foxx made his first public appearance since a health scare in April, which led to him being hospitalized.
The 55-year-old has been spotted in public since then but hasn’t made any formal appearances until he turned up at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema and Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements event on Monday night, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Foxx gave a speech after receiving a Vanguard Award for his performance in “The Burial.” The exact details of what happened haven’t been released to the public. Foxx said his sister, Deidra Dixon, and his daughter, Corinne Marie, quickly assisted him with getting the medical attention that he needed to save his life. The actor updated the audience on how he’s been feeling since the medical incident this spring.
“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,” Foxx told the assembled crowd, making reference to some conspiracy theories that have been circulating online.
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“It feels good to be here,” he continued. “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. ‘S***, am I going to the right place?’”
The “Django Unchained” star also discussed how his brush with death helped him be more appreciative of his life and career in general.
Foxx said, “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 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.”
Foxx previously discussed what happened in a video message to fans posted in July. “I went to hell and back,” he said at the time. “And my road to recovery had some potholes as well. But I’m coming back and I’m able to work so I want to thank people that let me work.”