Jamie Foxx reveals how daughter’s guitar saved his life after stroke in heartfelt BET Awards speech

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jamie Foxx made a highly emotional speech at the 2025 BET Awards, describing his recovery after a life-threatening stroke and coma he suffered two years ago.

Foxx accepted the Ultimate Icon Award and was visibly moved as he recounted his journey and thanked his family, especially his daughters, Anelise Bishop, 16, and Corinne Foxx, 31, as well as his sister, Deidra Dixon, for standing by him.

Jamie Foxx recalls moment daughter Anelise Bishop played guitar as his vitals crashed

Jamie Foxx spoke directly to his younger daughter during his acceptance speech, sharing a story that moved the crowd.

“Anelise Estelle Foxx, my baby with the big hair. She hides under that hair because she’s got something special. You’re so beautiful, man,” he said.

 Anelise's chin trembled as she looked up at her dad on stage.

Then Foxx recalled a critical moment in his hospital stay. “When I was fighting for my life in there, I’ve got to say this. They said, ‘We’re going to lose him because his vitals are bad.’ And I didn’t want my 14-year-old to see me like that," he continued.

"But Anelise overheard the conversation and she snuck into my hospital room with her guitar and said, ‘I know what my Daddy needs,’” Jamie said.

“And as she played the guitar, my vitals [improved]. And I realized God was in her guitar. The nurses ran in and said, ‘What did they give him?’ My daughter said, ‘Shh, I’ve got him,’” he said, according to Just Jared. 

Jamie Foxx tears up as he praises daughter Corinne for taking charge during his health crisis

Jamie Foxx also gave special recognition to his eldest daughter, Corinne Foxx, who helped manage updates on his health and became a pillar for the family.

“My beautiful daughter, Corinne, I cannot say enough about you,” he said.

“You’ve always taken a backseat to everything. But when you needed to drive it, you drove. And you made sure I was here. And at a certain point, I’m going to stop crying, but I’m not going to stop yet.”

Jamie Foxx says he is not going to turn down his second chance at life 

Reflecting on his health crisis and the outpouring of support, Jamie Foxx started by sharing about the fragility and value of life.

“When I saw that in memoriam, I was like, ‘Man, that could’ve been me,’” Foxx said through tears after a tribute to him from artists including Babyface, Jennifer Hudson, and T-Pain.

“But I don’t know why I went through what I went through, but I know my second chance, I’m not gonna turn down. I’m not gonna turn it down,” Foxx, 57, said.

He also thanked his sister, Deidra Dixon, for her care, saying, "She made sure that she took care of her brother."

The Oscar winner suffered a stroke in April 2023, caused by a brain bleed. Foxx previously described in his 2024 standup special 'What Had Happened Was' that he spent a month in the hospital and later couldn’t remember about 20 days.

“On May 4th I woke up,” he said. “And when I woke up, I found myself in a wheelchair. I couldn’t walk. In a wheelchair. And I was like, ‘What the f**k, why am I in a wheelchair?’”

It took months of rehab and therapy for Foxx to regain his health.