Jamie Foxx is known for his work as an actor, starring in massive projects like Django Unchained, Ray, The Burial, and They Cloned Tyrone. In the early years of his career, however, things were certainly less gilded for him. In 2007, the actor started his own talk-radio program called The Foxxhole, piggybacking off the fame he had gained through projects like Collateral and Ali, as well as the recognition he got for winning an Oscar for Ray.
Here, he would interview and interact with some of the biggest names, as well as up-and-coming artists looking to establish themselves. During his time on the radio show, the actor ended up getting approached by a singer who was looking to make it big in the industry.
The musician was none other than one of the most talented artists in the world; Ed Sheeran. As it would seem, Foxx played a big role in the Perfect singer getting to where he is today.
Jamie Foxx Was Serenaded By Ed Sheeran
Jamie Foxx appeared on The Graham Norton Show where the topic of the highly-adored singer, Ed Sheeran was brought up. He revealed that the singer had slept on his couch for six weeks before he reached the peak of stardom that he has today.
“He’s incredible and I’m like, ‘Listen, I know you don’t have anywhere to go, just chill here,” reminisced Foxx. “I was giving him food, and my daughter was like, ‘Who do you have over here now?’ Because I would always champion an artist.”
The actor elaborated on this, stating that it all happened when he was a part of his radio show, The Foxxhole. He was approached by the singer, who wanted to play his music for the celebrity in hopes of getting some recognition in the industry.
“I said, “Listen, man, I think you got the goods but I gotta check you out,” said Foxx.
Upon hearing Sheeran’s music, Foxx was left awestruck, amazed at how good of an artist he was. While talent is a big part of success in the music industry, having a strong stage presence is equally as important. Wanting to check where his abilities lay in the latter, Foxx decided to test the singer out at a club.
Jamie Foxx’s Decision Was Questioned
Jamie Foxx took Ed Sheeran to one of the most prestigious clubs with some of the most talented people in music. He also emphasized the fact that a huge majority of people in that room were Black. The talent in the room was so great that having an unknown artist like Sheeran almost felt disrespectful to a few.
“And so, all of a sudden I say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, Ed Sheeran’. He pops out with his little red hair and a ukelele. One of my homies, who’s an incredible guitarist” He went on, “He says, ‘Yo, Foxx, come on man. What’s this man? What’s this? What you doing to the room right now? Man, you gotta respect the room.'”
When Foxx introduced the musician to the crowd, he was confronted by his friend, who was very critical of these things. He believed that the presence of Sheeran in the club was altering the atmosphere of the room.
“It was just like a movie. I said, ‘Let’s see what the kid has’. And he went out there with that ukelele, got a standing ovation in twelve minutes.”
Foxx, having faith in the singer’s capabilities and trusting him to put on a good show, told his friend to first watch Sheeran’s performance before judging it. Interestingly enough, twelve minutes into his performance, the singer received a standing ovation from the crowd.
