Jamie Foxx Attends His First Public Appearance Since Health Scare: ‘Lord, Have Mercy, Jesus’

Actor Jamie Foxx broke his silence about his health scare at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements in Los Angeles.

According to People Magazine, Foxx spoke onstage Monday about the medical emergency while accepting the Vanguard Award for his role in “The Burial.”

He stated, “I want to thank everybody. I’ve been through something. I’ve been through some things.”

“It’s crazy, I couldn’t do that six months ago. I couldn’t actually walk too…” he said. 

It was an emotional moment and he needed to pause as he reflected on this recent hardship. 

He joked that he has not been cloned, and also noted, “It feels good to be here. I cherish every single minute now. It’s different. It’s different.”

“I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy, because it’s tough when you almost… When it’s almost over, when you see the tunnel,” he added.

Foxx then described a spiritual awakening. He said, “I saw the tunnel. I didn’t see the light!”

“It was hot in that tunnel so I didn’t know where I was going. S—, am I going to the right place? I seen the devil goin ‘C’mon, now,’” he continued. 

“Black people, when we almost die or go through something like that, there’s two phrases, one of two phrases we say. One is, ‘Lord, have mercy, Jesus. Lord, have mercy, Jesus,’” he added.

Foxx went on to explain a need to use that phrase more sparingly and praised his family and friends for being there for him. 

He closed his speech, stating, “I want to say six months ago I couldn’t fathom that this could happen or that I would be here, but as I walk up here to this microphone and get this Vanguard Award, all I can say is ‘Lord, have mercy, Jesus.’”