In an emotional acceptance speech at the BET Awards, Jamie Foxx reflected on almost dying after his 2023 stroke.
Foxx delivered the powerful speech to accept the Ultimate Icon Award in front of his two daughters, Corinne and Anelise, who both cried as their father recalled the moment that changed his life.
“When I saw that ‘In Memoriam,’ I was like, man, it could have been me. I don’t know why I went through what I went through. But I know my second chance, I’m not gonna turn [it] down. I have so much love to give.”
Foxx continued, “I told Him, I said, man, bro. Just give me one more crack at this. And I promised, I said, for whatever reason you put this on me, I promise I’m gonna do right.”
Foxx suffered a brain bleed in April 2023, ultimately leading to a stroke. In an interview with Variety on the Golden Globes red carpet in January, the actor and singer revealed he had less than a 5 percent chance of surviving his health scare.
Elsewhere in his speech, Foxx emphasized the importance of the BET Awards, saying, “I say this all the time: thank you to Black people and the Black award, because this is what really counts. I’m serious. This is what really counts. A lot of people think the Oscars is the biggest thing, and we got to quit thinking like that…The Icon Award is the most important award because it comes from us.”
The Ultimate Icon Award was introduced in 2015. Other recipients throughout its history include Janet Jackson, Debra L. Lee, Tyler Perry, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin.
