Jamie Foxx: honored at Bet Awards as “icon”

There were a few tears: Hollywood multi -multi -Multitarian Jamie Foxx (57) was celebrated in Los Angeles on June 9th – he received the “Ultimate Icon Award” for his decades of music, film and entertainment at the Bet Awards. An emotional evening for the Oscar winner – not only because of the honor, but also because he survived an almost fatal stroke in 2023.

Before Foxx himself kept his thank you speech on stage, music legend Stevie Wonder (75) recalled her long -term connection with a humorous anecdote. “Jamie contacted me because of his Oscar win for ‘Ray’. And I said: ‘Just because you played a blind man does not mean that we are best friends now!'” This was followed by a musical tribute medley that reflected the Foxx ‘impressive career.

The stage then belonged to artists such as Babyface and Ludacris, the Foxx ‘Hit “Unpredictable” performed. Tank and Jennifer Hudson reminded of his role as Ray Charles with a goosebumps version of “Night Time is the right time”. Hudson then also sang a snippet from Kanye West’s “Gold Digger”, in which Foxx was original. Doug E. Fresh, Teddy Riley and T-Pain celebrated Foxx with a performance of his hits “Blame IT”. Finally Stevie Wonder returned and said: “Jamie, I already knew in the club back then when I saw you at the piano that you were something very special.”

Jamie Foxx visibly moved the award. “We used to take this for granted – that God is good. But today I know better,” the actor began his speech. When looking at the “in Memoriam” part of the show, he became aware of how close he had escaped death. “I could have been.”

Tears stood in his eyes when he reported on his near -death experience and of his desire for a second chance in life: “I said: ‘If you give me the opportunity again, then I promise you that I do it right.'”

He particularly emphasized the support from the Black Community. He thanked his team and especially his family, who carried him through the difficult time – especially his daughter Corinne Foxx (31), who looked after him around the clock during the illness. He also dedicated moving words to his younger daughter Anelise (16): she had secretly sneaked into his hospital with her guitar than was particularly bad. “She said, ‘I know what my daddy needs’ and played for me. My vital values ​​improved immediately.”

At the end of the evening, Foxx was deeply touched: “Maybe I’m older – but I’m not finished. And I won’t waste this second chance.” He took a loving look into the audience and thanks to Stevie Wonder: “I love you brother. Thank you for being here.”

In addition to Foxx, Mariah Carey, Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg were also recognized in the “Ultimate Icon” category for their influence on music and culture.

The clearer of the evening was Kendrick Lamar (37): The rapper took home five awards (from ten nominations) at the awarding of Black Entertainment Television (Bet). Among other things, his album “Gnx” was awarded the best of the year. “Luther”, his joint song with SZA, received the award for “best collaboration”.

In addition, Lamar was awarded the “best male hip-hop artist”, his music video for “Not Like Us” as “Video of the Year” and together with Dave Free as a “video director of the year”.