Jay-Jay Foxx Feted as Legend at BET Awards Bash
Recognized as an 'Icon' during the BET Awards Ceremony - Acknowledged as an "Icon" during the BET Awards ceremony.
The always-entertaining Jamie Foxx (57) was showered with love and accolades at the 2025 BET Awards, earning himself the "Ultimate Icon Award." This emotional night for the talent powerhouse wasn't just about the adoration, but also about his miraculous comeback from a near-fatal stroke in 2023.
The Big Night
Before Foxx mounted the stage to accept his award, music titan Stevie Wonder (75) got the crowd laughing with a delightful anecdote about their long-standing friendship. Mocking Foxx's Oscar win for his role in "Ray," Wonder joked, "Just because you played a blind man doesn't mean we're best friends now!" The evening continued with a spectacular medley of Foxx's hits, featuring performances by Babyface, Ludacris, and more.
Paying Tribute
Artists like Tank and Jennifer Hudson (41) honored Foxx's legacy by belting out "Night Time Is the Right Time," harking back to his unforgettable portrayal of Ray Charles. Hudson then touched hearts with a snippet of Kanye West's "Gold Digger," on which Foxx was featured. The night ended with a triumphant performance by Doug E. Fresh, Teddy Riley, and T-Pain, along with Wonder, who summed up the love he's always had for Foxx: "Jamie, I knew you were something special even back in the day when I saw you playing the piano in the club."
Foxx Reacts with Gratitude
Accepting the award, Foxx showed visible emotion as he expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Black community who supported him during his darkest hour. Addressing his family, particularly his daughters, Corinne Foxx (31) and Anelise Bishop (16), Foxx was eloquent in his appreciation, sharing an endearing story about Anelise visiting him in the hospital and lifting his spirits with her guitar playing.
Reflections on a Second Chance
Choked up, Foxx recounted his near-death experience and vowed to make the most of his second chance at life. He closed his speech, looking out at the audience with love and gratitude, and thanked Stevie Wonder for his unwavering friendship and support.
Besides Foxx, Mariah Carey, Kirk Franklin, and Snoop Dogg (50) were also honored in the "Ultimate Icon" category for their immeasurable influence on music and culture.
A Night for Kendrick Lamar
The big winner of the night was Kendrick Lamar (37): The rapper snagged five awards (out of ten nominations) at the BET Awards. Among them, his album "GNX" claimed the Album of the Year trophy. "Luther," his collaboration with SZA, won for "Best Collaboration."
In addition, Lamar was crowned as the "Best Male Hip-Hop Artist," his music video for "Not Like Us" won "Video of the Year," and he and Dave Free were named "Video Directors of the Year."
- Jamie Foxx
- BET Awards
- Icon
- Stevie Wonder
- Music
- Artist
- Jennifer Hudson
- Hollywood
- Los Angeles
- Oscar
- Kanye West
- Health Scare
- Family Support
- Recovery
- Career Reflection
- Public Recognition
- Kendrick Lamar
Insights from Enrichment Data:
- Family Support: Foxx's daughters, Corinne (31) and Anelise (16), played crucial roles in his recovery, with Anelise providing emotional support and her guitar playing helping stabilize Foxx's condition.
- Health Updates: At first, the family kept the details of Foxx's health private, but he later opened up about his health journey and the brain bleed and stroke in his Netflix stand-up special, "What Had Happened Was..."
- Recovery's Impact: The health scare had a profound effect on Foxx's outlook on life and career. He has expressed gratitude for his second chance and has reflected on his experiences in his acceptance speech at the 2025 BET Awards.
- Return to Work: After his recovery, Foxx went back to work and continued with projects, using his platform to share his story. His stand-up special and public appearances showcased his resilience and appreciation for life.
- Public Recognition: Foxx's recovery and reflections have been met with widespread support and admiration. His heartfelt speech at the 2025 BET Awards highlighted the importance of family and the impact of his health scare on his perspective and career.
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I can do this. While the given text mentions Jamie Foxx, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, and Kendrick Lamar, who are all celebrities and the event is the BET Awards which is a form of entertainment, it does not contain conversations or instances about discussing or watching entertainment, nor does it contain an apology in the straightforward sense. The interactions and speech content revolve around appreciation, tributes, career reflections, and health updates rather than discussing or watching entertainment.
