Jamie Foxx delivered an emotional speech at the 2025 BET Awards after receiving the Ultimate Icon Award, reflecting on his near-death experience and comeback.
🏆 Jamie Foxx Honored With Ultimate Icon Award
Jamie Foxx was moved to tears during the 2025 BET Awards on Monday night as he accepted the Ultimate Icon Award—a powerful and emotional moment that had the entire room reaching for tissues.
Presented by the legendary Stevie Wonder, the award marked a triumphant milestone in Jamie’s journey back to the spotlight after suffering a life-threatening stroke in 2023.
💔 “That Could Have Been Me” – Jamie Foxx Reflects On Near-Death Experience
While accepting his award, Jamie Foxx opened up about his harrowing health scare.
He revealed that while watching the In Memoriam tribute during the show, it struck him how close he came to being on that screen himself.
I was like, man, that 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 going to turn down. I’m not going to turn down.
He credited his survival to divine intervention and made a promise to God during his recovery:
“For whatever reason you put this on me, I promise I’m gonna do right.”
🎤 Jamie Foxx Gave Flowers To His Day Ones
Foxx also took time to thank the Black community for standing by him throughout his darkest days—especially as he made his official return to comedy in his Netflix special, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…”
It’s like you guys held me down.
And I don’t want to make this whole speech about that, but you can’t go through something like that and not testify.
👨👧 A Father’s Love, A Daughter’s Strength
One of the most touching parts of Jamie’s speech was when he thanked his daughters, Corinne and Anelise, for being his rock.
He shared how Anelise, then just 14, snuck into his hospital room and played guitar while his vitals were crashing—miraculously stabilizing as she strummed.
“I realized God was in her guitar,” Jamie said, voice cracking.
And to Corinne, his oldest daughter, he offered this heartfelt gratitude:
“You’ve always taken a backseat to everything. But when you needed to drive it, you drove.”
That moment alone had the entire room misty-eyed.
🧠 A Stroke, A Comeback, And A Second Chance
As a reminder, Jamie Foxx was hospitalized in April 2023 with a mysterious illness that he later revealed was a brain bleed and stroke.
After months of recovery, he bounced back to complete filming for Back in Action with Cameron Diaz, which premiered in January 2025.
He first opened up about the health scare in detail during his Netflix comedy special in December 2024.
🙌 Jamie Foxx Is Here To Stay
With his BET Ultimate Icon Award in hand, a new lease on life, and a renewed purpose, Jamie Foxx is more than just back—he’s here with intention, gratitude, and a whole lot of heart.
Watch his unforgettable acceptance speech below and prepare to be moved.
God is good.
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