Social media has been abuzz with speculation about the health of actor and musician Jamie Foxx. Reports of Foxx's illness first surfaced on April 11, when he suffered a "medical complication" while working on his new movie Back in Action. Since then, rumors have been circulating about the nature of his illness, with some claiming that he suffered a stroke, while others suggest that it was a brain bleed or some other condition. Most recently, a headline has gone out claiming the actor is now 'blind and paralyzed,' and the reason is the COVID-19 vaccine.
When rumors get going, they almost always spin out of control. This is what appears to be the case over Jamie Foxx's recent medical complication back mid-April. Controversy is rampant after gossip columnist and journalist A.J. Benza began claiming that Foxx's illness was a result of the COVID-19 vaccine. It was also reported by OK! Magazine, with a headline that said: "Health Shocker: Jamie Foxx Left 'Paralyzed and Blind' From 'Blood Clot in His Brain' After Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine, Source Claims." However, it is important to note that these claims are currently unsubstantiated, and fact-checkers have yet to confirm them. (1)
Despite the controversy, some details about Foxx's condition have been confirmed. According to sources close to the actor, he did indeed suffer a medical emergency and was hospitalized for several days. However, the exact nature of his condition remains unclear.
It is worth noting that Foxx has not made any public statements about his illness, and his representatives have declined to comment on the matter. Only his daughter, Corinne Foxx, has posted about her father's condition on her accounts. In May, she posted a text post on her Instagram story stating:
"Update from the family: Sad to see how the media runs wild. My dad has been out of the hospital for weeks recuperating. In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyone's prayers and support!"
Still, this didn't stop Benza from going on Dr. Drew Pinsky's podcast to talk about it. Pinsky is the former host of MTV's Loveline and is now a known vaccine conspiracy theorist. Benza, known for the same opinions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, is where the story about Foxx being blind and paralyzed came from.
"Jamie had a blood clot in his brain after he got the shot," Benza said on the podcast. "He did not want the shot, but the move he was on, he was pressured to get it. The blood clot in the brain caused him at that point to be partially paralyzed and blind." (2)
Benza claims that his source was someone "in the room" with Jamie. He says that what Corinne is saying is all lies. His source, he claims, has the truth, not Foxx's daughter.
"If you read what they were saying early on, 'He is communicating with us.' That doesn't mean talking," Benza said. "That could be anything. Writing. Sign language. I know those little code words. Then you tell me your father is playing pickleball, give me a break. There is a great shroud of secrecy around Jamie Foxx."
Fact-checkers have pointed out, however, that he continues to state that Foxx's condition is "shrouded in secrecy." They question how this could be so if Benza's source were right there in the hospital room with Foxx. This has led many to believe that perhaps Benza is the one full of "baloney" and not the other way around. (3)
Of course, the issue with this is that the media, particularly social media, doesn't necessarily care to fact-check - they just report on the latest things people say that will get them clicks and shares. The anti-vax portion of the internet jumped on these headlines right away in an effort to push forward their ideologies.
In light of the controversy surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine and its potential side effects, it is important to rely on credible sources for information. Fact-checkers have emphasized the need for evidence-based reporting and have cautioned against spreading unsubstantiated claims.
At this point, it is unclear what caused Jamie Foxx's illness, and until more information is available, it is important to avoid jumping to conclusions. As always, it is important to prioritize accurate and reliable reporting and to be mindful of the potential consequences of spreading rumors and misinformation.
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