Nearly two months after Jamie Foxx was hospitalized following an unspecified “medical complication”, his condition is being weaponized by anti-vaxxers on the internet.
Podcaster and former New York Daily News gossip columnist AJ Benza appeared last week on Ask Dr Drewan online series hosted by alumniCelebrity Rehab host Drew Pinsky. Benza claimed a source told him that Foxx had to get a COVID shot for a movie and developed a blood clot, which led to a stroke that left the Oscar-winning actor “partially blind and paralyzed”. Pinsky, an early COVID skeptic, declined to dispute the claim, which was quickly picked up by right-wing media outlets, including commentator Candace Owens on her YouTube-based podcast and the former Hercules stars Kevin Sorbo, who shared the story on Twitter with the comment “Pray for Jamie Foxx”.
However, Foxx’s rep released a statement to NBC News calling Benza’s account “completely inaccurate.”
The actor was hospitalized in Atlanta on April 11 after suffering an undisclosed medical emergency. It was widely reported that he spent over four weeks there. Some publications have speculated about his health, with one report claiming his loved ones are “preparing for the worst”. It prompted his daughter Corinne Foxx, 29, to speak out on May 12.
“Sad to see how the media is going wild. My dad has been out of the hospital for weeks recovering. He was actually playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyone’s prayers and support,” he said. -she shared in an Instagram story. “We also have an exciting job announcement coming next week! »
Days later, TMZ obtained photos of Jamie’s daughters Corinne and Anelise Bishop, 14, visiting him at an unnamed physical rehab facility in Chicago and quoted an unnamed source as saying he’s “recovering well. “. (A rep for the actor did not return Yahoo Entertainment’s request for comment.)
Jamie’s work obligations have been canceled or postponed since his illness. In May, Nick Cannon was selected to host the sixth season of Beat Shazam while Foxx recovers, with Kelly Osbourne taking over as the show’s DJ in place of Corinne. Talk to Additional last week, Cannon said Jamie would return “when he’s ready”. (Fox, who broadcasts Beat Shazamalso announced that Jamie and Corinne would host We are a familyanother music-centric game show, slated to premiere in 2024.)
Separately, Universal Pictures has pushed back the release date for Foxx’s film. wanderers Since June 9 to August 18.
Meanwhile, on May 31, Foxx was let go by his hometown of Terrell, Texas, after donating new basketball courts to a local park, with a ribbon cutting scheduled for later this month.