Jamie Foxx celebrated his triumphant return to the spotlight with his new Netflix comedy special, What Had Happened Was, and left nothing unsaid. The Academy Award-winning actor-comedian took on everything from wild rumors to internet conspiracies that swirled in the wake of his near-fatal health scare this April 2023. This set uses humor and heart as he talks about what was going on.
Foxx, 56, was brutally honest and told the audience his medical emergency involved a brain bleed that caused a stroke and put him in a coma for 20 days; that also took away his memory of those days. “I don’t remember 20 days of my life,” he shared with the audience during the performance. As might be expected, even for such a terrifying chapter in life, Jamie Foxx treated it with comedy.
”The internet said Puffy tried to kill me. Hell no, I left those parties early. I was out by 9 PM; something don’t look right, it’s slippery in here,” Foxx joked, talking about the wild speculation that Sean “Diddy” Combs was somehow responsible for his health scare. He shot down the theory with a sharp wit, playing Diddy against the devil. “S**t, am I going to the wrong place? Is that Puffy?
Foxx joked about a vision he had during his coma, drawing laughs from the audience. Even in its humorous tone, Foxx didn’t water down the complicated aspects of his story. He continued, revealing that he went as far as to reach out to the FBI concerning Diddy, adding another interesting dimension to the story. As quick as he is known to be with the witty lines, though, Foxx would quickly clarify that what he meant was jokes, not real allegations.
Foxx’s road to recovery was long and arduous. He described the emotional toll of re-learning basic functions and his profound gratitude for being alive. “If I could stay funny, I could stay alive,” he reflected, highlighting how humor became a vital tool in dealing with his ordeal. He also spoke of relying on faith and family to get through his recovery and brought a deeply personal touch to his performance.
A particularly touching moment in the special was when Foxx brought his youngest daughter, Annelise, on stage. He shared how she played guitar for him in the hospital, helping him through his recovery. This moment underscored the theme of familial love and support throughout his journey. After his health crisis, speculations were running abuzz across the Internet over the reasons behind it.
But the most absurd claims included Diddy’s poisoning. These rumors found fertile ground on social media, as many linked them to his long-standing friendship with the music mogul Foxx.
However, Diddy’s representatives vigorously denied the accusations as “ridiculous and baseless.” They held firm that Foxx made only jesting comments during his special Netflix set and was not to be taken seriously.
Foxx’s ability to spin such wild theories into comedic gold is surely a testament to his talents. “Atlanta saved my life,” he joked, perfectly summarizing the weird mix of love and scrutiny he has seen. The internet tried to kill me, though.”
What Had Happened Was is a new chapter for Foxx. The special couples his signature humor with raw emotional honesty, offering the public an unusual glimpse of him and his struggles-in all ways, a celebration of resilience. “This is not just comedy; it’s therapy,” he described how performing again has been helping him heal.
In addition to addressing his health crisis, Foxx also appeared to have a great deal of fun impersonating various celebrities, from Denzel Washington to Katt Williams, his usual panache undiminished. He even took the crowd through a rousing chorus of a gospel song and made it celebratory. The improvisation added extra excitement to this special as Foxx fed on the energy of the crowd.
But Jamie Foxx’s return is not a comeback; it’s the power of humor, faith, and family. The internet may have written one story, but Foxx has rewritten his in the most Jamie Foxx way possible: with laughter, heart, and that undeniable charisma that keeps the fans coming back for more.
