Jamie Foxx Teases Stand-Up Return to Explain ‘What Happened’ with Health Scare

Jamie Foxx is almost ready to reveal the truth behind his recent health scare on his own terms.

A few months after his first major public appearance since his mystery illness, at the at the Critics Choice Association‘s Celebration of Cinema & Television Honoring Black, Latino & AAPI Achievements in December, “The Burial” actor was back on stage on Sunday, March 3 to accept the Producers Award from the African American Film Critics Association alongside his Foxxhole Productions partner Datari Turner.

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“Everybody wants to know what happened, and I’m going to tell you what happened, but I gotta do it my way. I’m going to do it in a funny way. I’m going to be on stage. We’re going back to the stand-up sort of roots,” said Foxx from the podium at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Having implied that both a tour and stand-up special are in the works, he said “It’ll be called ‘What Had Happened Was.’”

The Oscar- and Grammy-winning entertainer even told a story fit for a comedy set, noting that when he stepped out in public, assumably back to normal, people in the Black community were still conspiratorial about the situation, mirroring Foxx’s character in the Netflix film “They Cloned Tyrone” from last year. “I dove out of a car to save this Black woman’s purse, and I’m taking a picture, and they go, ‘That ain’t no damn Jamie, that’s a clone.’ Then they saw me with a white girl,” he said, pausing for comedic effect. “That’s Jamie.”

His last tease of the project-to-come reflected his new lease on life, trying to appreciate every moment he has alive and well. “If you want to have a good time and laugh and have a great time, come see me when we go take this thing out, there’ll be some things in there that you’ll love,” said the star. “There’ll be some things in there that will pull at your heartstrings. Because it was sincere.”

Other 2024 AAFCA Special Achievement Awards handed out during this year’s luncheon included the Horizon Award to filmmaker Deon Taylor, the Film Advocate Award recipient Delta Air Lines, the Stanley & Karen Kramer Social Justice Award to “Killers of the Flower Moon,” the inaugural Freedom Award to the late Michael Latt, and the Salute to Excellence Award to “The Color Purple” choreographer Fatima Robinson.

In the latter’s speech, the entertainment icon, who has worked on Super Bowls, Academy Awards telecasts, pivotal music videos like Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time,” and even Beyoncé’s recent Renaissance tour and film, called for more recognition of her craft within the film world. “As we see categories like casting and stunts being welcomed into the group conversation around creativity, it’s time choreographers were invited to the table as well,” said Robinson. “To encapsulate the essence of our craft, I recall the words of [choreographer] Martha Graham: ‘Dance is the hidden language of the soul.’ This quote resonates deeply with me as choreography is not just about craft or movement, but about storytelling. Expressing the inexpressible and connecting with the audience on a profound level.”

Robinson ended her proposal by saying, “Let’s continue to celebrate and elevate the art of dance and choreography, recognizing its invaluable contribution to the tapestry in storytelling and film.”

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