Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was...

In April 2023, news broke that Jamie Foxx had been hospitalized in Atlanta with what his daughter described on Instagram as a "medical complication." Not much else was revealed, and in the vacuum of information, rumors spread. When a photo of Foxx appeared online, some conspiracy-minded types called it a clone. Katt Williams even jokingly questioned and made fun of his "mysterious illness."

Now Foxx says he wants to set the record straight. Speaking in a theater a few hundred yards from the hospital where he says his life was saved, Foxx enters wearing sunglasses but takes them off quickly to wipe away tears. He says he experienced a brain bleed, suffered a stroke, temporarily lost the ability to walk and doesn't remember 20 days of his life. It's a moving performance that feels like part of a growing trend of how comics deal with medical catastrophe.

What Had Happened Was... is a slightly erratic and highly emotional special that addresses the biggest question straight away from the only perspective that really matters. It's Jamie Foxx setting the record straight in his own words in a deeply open fashion whilst still finding the time to get a few big laughs from what he's been through. His uncannily accurate impressions get time to shine and he spends so much of this special on the verge of tears which keeps it highly investing.

The atmosphere of the special is pretty strong thanks to a really responsive crowd who are always on board with what Jamie does and there's some great reactions from them. The musical interludes are equal parts funny and emotional and they elicit big reactions from the crowd as does his sermon-like storytelling, culminating in a well deserved standing ovation to ensure this ends on a pretty big high to counterbalance most of the issues beforehand.

As a RN, I am empathetic to any patient that suffers from an acute event, such as a stroke, MI, etc. However, most of these events can be prevented.

Don't get me wrong, it is beneficial for the individual to believe in something. Whether it be a higher power (God) or family, etc. However, religion will not cure you. Foxx speaks endlessly about how God rehabilitated him, but also asks continuously "Why me?". "Jamie Foxx don't get strokes."

Well Jamie, God didn't rehabilitate you, the doctors, nurses and ancillary staff did! This was the perfect opportunity to show the under appreciated nurses some serious love! However, you simply chose to classify them as "butt wipers". His sister had no idea where the hospitals were, which shows how out of touch celebrities are with healthcare. If they hadn't entered the hospital I guarantee religion would have done nothing for him without the tremendous medical care he received.

"Jamie Foxx don't get strokes.". Really? Your body doesn't care who you are or how rich you are. Clearly, you had unchecked risk factors (i.e. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, etc.) and you left them untreated. Instead of using this special as a platform for stroke awareness and the importance of our shrinking number of underpaid medical professionals in this country, you chose to show the viewers your resume, wealth and denial of your health.

Millions of patients go through the same thing Foxx did everyday and most of them don't have the benefit of wealth, extensive rehab or even family to help them through. A comedy special about his ego-stroking, health unawareness and narcissism is not what we need.

This is not a comedy special. Jamie spends an hour explaining his health scare. It is obvious that this was a humbling experience. Rest assured, Jamie is the same funny and talented guy as he's always been. Jamie taps into his locker full of impressions to help him navigate the story. Some of his past roles are highlighted. You will see a lot of raw emotion throughout the special. He gives thanks to his family, God and the staff at Piedmont Hospital, in Atlanta, Georgia for helping him to get back on his feet. Both of his daughters make a special appearance. If you are a longtime Foxx fan then this is worth your watch.

This had its moments of brilliance, particularly in his trademark impressions, which showcased his undeniable talent as a performer. However, much of the show struggled to connect, bogged down by a tone that felt more self-aggrandizing than self-reflective.

The repeated phrase "...But I'm Jamie Foxx" came across as overly self-important, as if he was leaning too heavily on his celebrity status to set himself apart from universal human experiences like health struggles and personal setbacks. Instead of inviting the audience into his world with humility or insight, this refrain felt alienating and, frankly, tiresome. It seemed to suggest he believed he was somehow immune to life's trials-or at least that his handling of them should inspire awe simply because of his fame.

Beyond the hubris, some of his observations felt out of touch, as though they were crafted with an audience of peers rather than everyday viewers in mind. While Foxx's natural charisma and comedic timing still shone in spots, especially in the impressions, those moments were overshadowed by a number of cringeworthy missteps.

Ultimately, the special had flashes of brilliance but was undermined by a tone that felt more focused on celebrating Foxx's persona than delivering relatable or truly incisive comedy. Fans of his will find things to enjoy, but many might walk away wishing for less hubris.