Jamie Foxx Says “Fame” Is Not “Fun” Anymore, Criticizes Social Media

Jamie Foxx reflected on his current attitude toward fame during a new interview. Sitting down with BET, the actor explained why he preferred to be famous “back in the day,” in the conversation labeled “intimate and unfiltered” by the network.

“I tell people all the time… be careful what you wish for,” explained the 57-year-old. “‘Cause I’m a gregarious dude and I just want to have fun, and sometimes people would take advantage of that, especially in today’s world now. You gotta be careful. Everything is scrutinized.”

He continued, “Fame is not necessarily fun anymore. Back in the day, fame was cool, but now… It’s tough. What’s crazy is, everything that you’re doing can be negated in one post… I think social media is good, but it’s also super dangerous.”

The Back In Action star’s commentary comes after he was honored with the Ultimate Icon honor at the 2025 BET Awards alongside Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin. Foxx took the stage at the live-broadcasted event and emotionally accepted the accolade.

“I cannot even begin to express the love that I feel from everybody out there,” elaborated the comedian to a standing ovation. “I gotta be honest, when I saw the In Memoriam, I was like, man, it could have been me. I don’t know why I went through what I went through, but I know my second chance, I’m not gonna turn down.”

“And I promised, whatever reason you put this on me, I promise Imma do right and imma do right in front of y’all. I know a lot of times when we get on, we forget about where we come from. When I did my special, it was in front of Black people. Black people was the one who said, ‘I got you.’”

Elsewhere in the interview, filmed for BET Immersed, the R&B singer discussed the mentors who shaped him, the cultural responsibility of Black entertainers, and how surviving a near-fatal stroke changed his perspective. Watch the full clip above.