Jamie Foxx has opened up about the "medical complication" he went through earlier this year as he made his first public appearance following it.
The actor, 55, was hospitalized in April after suffering a mystery "medical complication", with his daughter, Corinne Fox, sharing the news with fans a day after it happened, writing: "We wanted to share that, my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday.
"Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery. We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time."
Jamie appeared emotional as he took to the stage at the Critics Choice Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino, and AAPI Achievements in Los Angeles this week, as he spoke about what he'd been through this year.
He was honored with the Vanguard Award and was visibly emotional as he took to the stage to receive it, telling the audience: "You know, it’s crazy, I couldn’t do that six months ago. I couldn’t actually walk.
"I want to thank everybody. I’ve been through something, I’ve been through some things. 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."
Jamie also made light of the many conspiracy theories that spawned after he spent months out of the limelight while focusing on his recovery, quipping: "I'm not a clone, I’m not a clone. I know a lot of people was saying I was cloned out there, but y'all ain't s**t."
The actor had been filming his latest movie, Back In Action alongside Cameron Diaz when the medical emergency occurred, and although he has been seen several times since the ordeal, this was his first official public appearance.
In his 11-minute speech, Jamie also thanked his family, including his daughter and sister, for being there for him throughout his recovery.
He had previously addressed the medical complication in an Instagram video, telling his followers: "First of all I want to say thank you to everybody that's prayed, man, and sent me messages. I cannot even begin to tell you how far it took me and how it brought me back.
"I went through something I thought I would never, ever, go through. I know a lot of people were waiting and wanting to hear updates but to be honest with you, I just didn’t want you to see me like that, man.
"I want you to see me laughing, having a good time, partying, cracking a joke, doing a movie, television show.
"I didn’t want you to see me with tubes running out of me and trying to figure out if I was going to make it through. And to be honest with you my sister and my daughter Corinne saved my life. To them, to God, to a lot of great medical people, I'm able to leave you this video."
He also cleared up rumors about his condition, adding: "Man you know, by being quiet sometimes things get out of hand, people saying what I got - some people said I was blind but as you can see the eyes are working just fine," he told fans, while showing off an impressive ability to cross his eyes and move them from side to side.
Addressing other rumors, he added: "Some said I was paralyzed, I’m not paralyzed but I did go through... I went to hell and back 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. And I just want to say I love everybody and I love all the love I got."
Featured image credit: Dave Benett/Getty Images
