Why Jamie Foxx’s Medical Mystery Matters
Jamie Foxx is recovering nicely from a month-old illness that required hospitalization.
Or is he?
We live in conspiratorial times, made worse by a corrupt press and the ability of half-truths to gain traction on social media.
The “Day Shift” star’s medical woes represent a perfect pop culture storm of distrust and disinformation. Fair-minded souls don’t know what to believe, and both the actor and the press aren’t making matters better.
It started when we learned the 55-year-old Oscar winner was hospitalized on April 11 due to an undisclosed illness. Foxx stepped back from production on his latest film, ironically called “Back in Action,” but we learned nothing about his medical state at the time.
That limbo lingered for weeks, and various press outlets decided to fill the information gap with rank conjecture.
Jamie Foxx’s Family Reportedly Preparing ‘For The Worst’ As Actor Battles Undisclosed ‘Medical Complication’ https://t.co/fzhq4xPTVt pic.twitter.com/NgNi2JjlEp
— theJasmineBRAND (@thejasminebrand) May 10, 2023
Thus we saw headlines about Foxx’s friends “preparing for the worst,” a hyperbolic claim repeated across the web which seemingly granted the words more meaning. Yahoo! News was one of several outlets picking up the unverified claim.
On May 3, the actor’s official Instagram account shared the message, “Appreciate all the love!!! Feeling blessed.” Stars routinely rely on others to update their social media accounts, much like actor Christopher Lloyd of “Back to the Future” fame partners with his son to update his postings.
Lloyd isn’t alone, of course, even if his transparency is uncommon.
My son runs the app, but I write and approve tweets! He knows me better than anyone!
— Christopher Lloyd (@DocBrownLloyd) November 29, 2022
Foxx’s message, without any personal link to the star himself (like a current video), deepened the mystery.
The star’s daughter, Corinne Foxx, recently gave an update on his condition. She said he’s been out of the hospital “for weeks” and felt well enough to play some pickleball.
Once again, no visual proof to back up her claims. She also blasted the press for suggesting the star was on death’s door. Her frustration is understandable, but the Foxx family’s lack of transparency helped make that atmosphere possible.
It’s one thing for random Twitter accounts to post conspiratorial messages, but journalists shouldn’t be doing the same. That’s just part of the media’s current corruption, alas.
It’s the new, regrettable normal.
Foxx is a public persona, and while we aren’t owed any information about his medical state (unlike with politicians) his lack of details heightens the thirst for conspiracies.
Compare it to how Jeremy Renner treated his serious snowmobile accident earlier this year. The “Avengers” star kept everyone up to speed on his condition and the various stages of recovery.
That was his choice, and it proved wise.
Yeah, I’m still here… #bionic pic.twitter.com/ociinPenIg
— Jeremy Renner (@JeremyRenner) April 20, 2023
We still know little about Foxx’s initial diagnosis or recovery. His family would be wise to either keep every element of it private, which is their right or provide more conclusive updates.
The press should behave better, too.
At a time when news outlets aggressively spin the truth to benefit one political party, we have no reason to expect journalists to behave any better than your average social media user.
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