In the wake of Jamie Foxx’s sudden hospitalisation in April 2023, a heavy silence enveloped the air, thick with unanswered questions. The Oscar-winning actor, singer, and comedian slipped into the shadows, his health a well-guarded secret. But now, in his Netflix special, What Had Happened Was…, Jamie breaks the silence, sharing the heart-wrenching story of a stroke that brought him to the brink of death. His journey, fraught with pain and perseverance, unfolds like a gripping novel, revealing the fierce battle for recovery that followed.

By Themba Khumalo

In Jamie Foxx’s Netflix special, What Had Happened Was…, a compelling story unfolds, pulsing with the impactful thud of deep emotions and the soft whisper of tears that linger like delicate melodies in the atmosphere, creating a journey that touches the heart.

Introduced by his daughter, Corinne Foxx, the energy of love surges like a tidal wave, moving Jamie to tears.

“I was fighting for my life, but I’m here right in front of you,” a tearful Jamie says, his voice thick with emotion, tears glistening in his eyes, as the Atlanta, US, crowd erupted in applause. “If I dance all night, don’t mind me. I’m happy to be alive.”

On that fateful day, April 11, 2023, a heavy cloud settled over Jamie as a relentless headache gripped him, its claws digging deep into his temples. In a moment of desperation, he reached out to a friend, pleading for an aspirin to quell the storm raging within. Yet, just as the promise of relief was within his grasp, darkness enveloped him, and he slipped away into an abyss of unconsciousness…as he puts it, “I went out.”

The next 20 days became a void, a blank canvas painted over with the whispers of loved ones who recounted the harrowing tale. They spoke of the first doctor who had seen him, a figure who administered a cortisone shot, a fleeting attempt to mend what was broken, before sending him back into the world, unaware of the battle he had just begun.

The heartbeat of the special pulses with the newsworthy tale of Jamie’s stroke, a thunderous jolt that yanked him from the spotlight and ignited whispers of his death. In his own words, it was a kind of death—a shattering of the grandiose, flamboyant persona he once wore like a crown.

Bound to a wheelchair, struggling with the simplest of tasks, he faced the daunting task of vanquishing the proud, self-absorbed Jamie Foxx, making way for a more grounded spirit to rise from the ashes. Guided by what he describes as the firm yet nurturing hands of a no-nonsense Chicago nurse, alongside the unwavering support of his sister, daughters, and the fervent prayers of his fans, he embarked on a journey of healing, all under the watchful gaze of “the Lord and Saviour” who orchestrated this miraculous recovery and renewal.

Jamie’s voice bursts forth with a deep sense of gratitude, celebrating the unyielding presence of his family, their love a fierce armour, protecting him from the swirling chaos that threatened to pull him under in those trying times.

As the lightning and thunder of the stroke crashed through his life, he found himself lost in a swirling sea of memory loss and the painstaking climb back to recovery. He credits his sister and eldest daughter, as the steadfast sentinels, who worked tirelessly to keep him hidden from the unforgiving gaze of the public.

“They didn’t want you to see me like that, and I didn’t want you to see me like that. I wanted you to see me like this,” he says to thunderous applause.

Tears brim in his eyes as he speaks of the unwavering love that anchored him, a steadfast presence that illuminated the darkest nights. He has now emerged from the shadows, knowing with certainty who will stand beside him when the storms of life rage on.

While his words are punctuated by the weight of tears, revealing the depth of his health challenges, he simultaneously embraces the joy of his comedic essence. Through hilarious impressions of vibrant characters such as Katt Williams, Wesley Snipes, Denzel Washington, Dave Chappelle, Jay-Z, Mike Tyson, and even the polarising figure of Donald Trump, he transforms his pain into an embroidery of laughter, reminding us of the resilience found in humour.

“If I can stay funny, I can stay alive,” says Jamie.

Just before the curtain falls, Jamie, with a heart full of pride, introduces his daughter, Anelise Bishop, a mere 14 summers old. She cradles her guitar, and as her fingers glide across the strings, the room is alive with a melody that resonates deep within. Jamie’s voice trembles as he recounts the harrowing days following his stroke, a time when his vitals were a wild storm, unpredictable and fierce, each moment a fragile thread hanging in the balance, a dance between hope and despair.

He vividly remembers Anelise sneaking into his hospital room, her guitar singing sweetly, notes swirling like a gentle breeze. The nurses, their faces a mix of confusion and awe, watched as his vitals stabilised: “You know what I found out? It was God in that guitar. That’s my spiritual defibrillator,” says an emotional Jamie.

As the gentle strumming of Anelise’s guitar fills the air, Foxx embarks on a heartfelt journey, recounting a profound dialogue he says he once had with God amidst the chaos that surrounded him. Upon the conclusion of her stirring performance, Foxx gracefully settles at the piano, inviting the audience to join him on a reflective voyage through his myriad achievements, culminating in a soulful rendition of his Grammy-nominated song, “Slow Jamz.”

In What Had Happened Was…, Jamie Foxx presents a tale that is both uproariously funny and hauntingly poignant, a delicate balance that speaks to the very essence of existence. His heartfelt revelations and reflections resonate with an intensity that sweeps you off your feet, immersing you in a whirlwind of emotions that captivates your senses.

As he recounts his journey, you find yourself entranced, each moment a vivid brushstroke on the canvas of life, leaving you spellbound and reflective long after the final word is spoken.