Jamie Foxx Reveals He 'Couldn't Walk' During Battle With Mysterious Illness

Award-winning actor and musician Jamie Foxx triumphantly re-emerged into the spotlight as he was honored with the Vanguard Award during the recently held Critics Choice Award ceremony.

Accepting the honor, Foxx strolled across the stage and shed light on the health scare he'd endured earlier this year, revealing that he was immobile at the time.

The event marked his first public appearance since his hospitalization, and the actor wasted no time dispelling speculations that he was cloned.

The "Django Unchained" actor graced the stage at the Critics Choice Association's Celebration of Cinema and Television last night to accept a prestigious honor, marking his first public appearance since suffering a mysterious medical emergency in April.

Foxx was awarded the Vanguard Award for his role in Amazon's Prime Video "The Burial" and received the honor from his co-star in the movie, Jurnee Smollett.

Presenting the award to the 55-year-old versatile entertainer, Smollett heaped praise on Foxx, calling him a "true vanguard, a pioneer who has broken down barriers and inspired generations of artists like myself to be bold, audacious dreamers."

"Working with Jamie, I found a generous scene partner I can lean on and trust," Smollett continued, per Variety. "Even though we were playing rivals battling it out in the courtroom, in him, I found a great cheerleader — one who, on our very first day shooting y'all he came, and right after the third take, he came up to me, he's like, 'Man, you are killing this role.' Now, I don't think he understands what that kind of support means to someone like me who's watched him my entire life."

Striding along the stage to accept his Vanguard award, Foxx was met with a standing ovation as he weighed in on the challenges he faced during his time away from the spotlight due to the health scare that sidelined him for months.

He began his acceptance speech by noting he "couldn't actually walk" some six months ago before going on to address speculations about him being cloned.  Details of his hospitalization have been kept private, leading to widespread concern and speculation among fans.

"I'm not a clone, I'm not a clone. I know a lot of people who were saying I was cloned out there," he noted, adding that he "wouldn't wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it's tough."

"I have a new respect for life. I have a new respect for my art. I watched so many movies and listened to so many songs, trying to have the time go by. Don't give up on your art, man, don't give up," Foxx added.

The "Day Shift" actor’s recent honor comes after he was accused and sued for allegedly assaulting a woman at a restaurant in New York City eight years ago, per the BBC. According to the lawsuit, the unnamed woman alleged that Foxx groped her after she asked to take a photo with him.

She's suing Foxx for damages, alleging "sexual assault, abuse, assault and battery." The lawsuit noted that the actor appeared intoxicated as he agreed to take a photo with the unnamed woman, saying, "Sure, baby, anything for you."

It added that he told her she had a "supermodel body" and smelled "so good" before taking her to a less crowded section of the bar, where he touched her breasts and put his hands in her underwear without her consent.

The accuser has allegedly "suffered and continues to suffer severe emotional distress and anxiety, humiliation, embarrassment, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other physical and emotional damages" due to the "heinous acts," the lawsuit read.

Responding to the situation, Foxx denied the allegations that reportedly took place at a New York City rooftop bar in 2015, categorically stating that the incident "never happened.”

A representative for the actor issued a statement to People magazine, firmly denying the accusations and revealing Foxx plans to counter-sue her for "malicious prosecution."

"The alleged incident never happened," the statement began. "In 2020, this individual filed a nearly identical lawsuit in Brooklyn. That case was dismissed shortly thereafter. The claims are no more viable today than they were then. We are confident they will be dismissed again."

The spokesperson continued, "And once they are, Mr. Foxx intends to pursue a claim for malicious prosecution against this person and her attorneys for re-filing this frivolous action."