More than a year after an illness left him hospitalized, Jamie Foxx is finally opening up about his experience. According to Foxx’s new Netflix special “What Had Happened Was…” Foxx experienced a brain bleed that led to a stroke. Foxx’s problems began April 11, 2023, while working on the film “Back in Action” in Atlanta. Foxx asked for an aspirin for a headache when he suddenly blacked out. “I don’t remember 20 days,” he said. His sister, who did not know the area, drove around to find a hospital for Foxx. “What’s interesting was as she drove around, she didn’t know anything about Piedmont Hospital, but she had a hunch that some angels were sending her. Because she said that’s what we’re going to need,” he said.

Foxx’s sister and daughters remained nearby during his hospitalization, praying and maintaining his privacy. Foxx woke on May 4, unable to walk. He received rehab in Chicago and has since made a full recovery. Speculation ran rampant during his hospitalization, with some on social media theorizing that Foxx had actually died. “It is a mystery,” Foxx said in his special. “We still don’t know exactly what happened to me. All I can tell you is that I appreciate every prayer, because I needed every prayer.” On his Instagram prior to the special being released, Foxx called himself “blessed.” “Cannot say it enough that I am blessed to be able to tell my story in my own way so many people to thank so many people have prayed… A big shout out to Atlanta you showed up and showed out made me feel at home made me feel safe after 18 years of not being on stage you made it feel like it was just yesterday… can’t wait for everyone to experience the vibe that we had. It was like going to church,” he wrote. Foxx has been open about how close to death he was. “I cannot even begin to tell you how far it took me and how it brought me back. I went through something that I thought I would never ever go through,” he said of the ordeal in another video.

Foxx has faced more hardship after a recent altercation at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills left him needing stitches in his jaw after a glass was thrown at him during his birthday dinner. Details have been scarce, with a spokesperson saying, “Jamie Foxx was at his birthday dinner when someone from another table threw a glass that hit him in the mouth. He had to get stitches and is recovering. The police were called, and the matter is now in law enforcement’s hands.” The Beverly Hills Police Department stated no arrests were made. Foxx released his own statement on social media, encouraging followers to support his Netflix special while downplaying the incident at Mr. Chow. “The devil is busy… but I’m too blessed to be stressed. The devil is a lie,” he wrote. “Can’t win here… thank you to everybody that pray and check on me… when your light is shining bright… they try to bring you darkness … but they don’t know that you’re built for it… the lights have been shining bright…”