Hollywood Icon, Jamie Foxx took the stage at the 2025 BET Awards with a heartfelt emotional message that left the audience in tears.
The Oscar-winning actor and musician, who survived a life-threatening health scare in 2023, reflected on his journey and expressed deep gratitude for his second chance at life.
Foxx, who was honoured with the ultimate Icon Award, recalled watching the in memoriam tribute (a special recognition given to honor and remember people who have passed away) during the ceremony and realizing how close he had come to being included in it.
“When I saw that in a memoriam, I said that could have been me, but I don’t know why I went through what I went through. But I know my second chance, I’m not going to turn it down. I have so much love to give,” he said with his voice filled with emotion.
The actor went on to share how his faith played a crucial role in his recovery.
“I told Him, I said, ‘Bro, just give me one more crack at this, and I promise, I said, whatever reason you put this on me, I promise I’m going to do right,” Foxx stated.
In the video spotted by The Independent Ghana, Foxx’s speech resonated deeply with the audience, including his daughters Corinne Foxx and Anselise Bishop, who were seen wiping away tears.
He credited his family, especially his sister Deidre Dixon, for standing by him during his recovery and ensuring he pulled through.
The moment was one of the most powerful highlights of the night, reminding everyone of the fragility of life and the importance of gratitude.
Foxx’s resillience and determination to embrace his second chance inspired many, making his speech one of the most talked-about moment of the 2025 BET Awards.
Jamie Foxx opened up about his “mystery illness” in his 2-24 Netflix special.
Detailing the experience, he said that on April 11, 2023, he began experiencing a bad headache and asked a friend for an aspirin.
At the time, he was working on the film “Back in Action” alongside Glenn Close and Cameron Diaz, which was released on Netflix earlier in 2023.
The initial headache began a harrowing time for Foxx. “I don’t remember 20 days,” he said in the special.
Once in the hospital, doctors performed surgery on him. While they couldn’t find the original source of the brain bleed, they believed it would be possible for him to make a full recovery, though they told his sister it would be difficult.
The cause of the medical emergency is still unknown, according to Foxx.
“It is a mystery,” he said early in the 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.”
Watch the video below: