Nick Cannon opens up about filling in for Jamie Foxx on Beat Shazam

Nick Cannon has opened up about filling in for Jamie Foxx as the host of Beat Shazam as the Oscar-winning actor recovers from a mysterious ailment.

Speaking on Extra, Cannon, 42, described how he was approached for the role – however had no health update to offer, explaining Foxx would address fans once he was ‘ready.’ 

Foxx, 55, born Eric Bishop, was filming the action-comedy Back In Action with Cameron Diaz in Atlanta, Georgia, in April when he was admitted to hospital, although little is known of the intricacies of the situation. 

In May, his daughter Corrine Foxx revealed her father had been ‘out of the hospital for weeks’, and later that month she was seen visiting him at a physical rehab center in Chicago.

Describing how the role came to him, Cannon recalled being told Jamie wanted him specifically for the job. 

Health ordeal: Foxx, 55, born Eric Bishop, was filming the action-comedy Back In Action with Cameron Diaz in Atlanta, Georgia, in April when he was admitted to hospital, although little is known of the intricacies of the situation; his daughter Corinne revealed he had been released from the hospital in May 

‘I was actually working on something else and they say, “Jamie wants you to do this.’ And I was like, “I’ll do anything for Jamie”… I got the blessing from him and Corinne [Foxx],’ he said.

The Wild ‘n Out star praised Foxx’s professionalism, and described him as someone who is ‘extremely private.’  

‘One thing I’ve always respected about how Jamie’s moved throughout his entire career, if you’ve noticed, he’s always been somebody who is extremely professional and extremely private.

‘I mean, you don’t ever really hear anything other than just the great work that he puts forth as a professional and the fact that, you know, he’s handled this situation with the same manner, you only can respect that.’

When it came to his health, Cannon had no information to offer, adding he refrains from asking questions about the superstar.  

‘We understand that he had a stroke and that he’s recovering. But, you know, it’s been sort of confusing… are you comfortable giving an update on how he’s doing? Do you know?’ host Billy Bush asked.

‘I’m probably in the same boat as you in that same sense of just knowing that, you know, as a friend, just being as respectful as I can, I don’t pry,’ Cannon replied. 

‘I don’t ask any other questions. And other than the information that’s given to me and, you know, what’s asked of me.

High words: The Wild ‘n Out star praised Foxx’s professionalism, and described him as someone who is ‘extremely private

Lending a hand: Cannon has been filling in for Foxx on his game show Beat Shazam 

‘And I think in this scenario of what I’ve always said is just like, “Hey, I’m here for you, whatever you would like me to say, whatever you would like me to do, I can be a mouthpiece.” And I think they said, “We got it.”‘

Cannon said Foxx’s family are releasing ‘the information that they want to be out there.’

‘I was definitely one of those people initially with like the heavy-handed prayers… sending positive energy, love, and prayers,’ he said. ‘And they were like, “Yo, we appreciate all of that, but we got it.” And, you know, Jamie’s happy with the job that I did on ‘Beat Shazam.

‘I believe when he’s ready, he’s going to address the awaiting fans in the world the way that only he can.’

Speaking out: ‘I believe when he’s ready, he’s going to address the awaiting fans in the world the way that only he can,’ Cannon, pictured March, said of Foxx

On May 12, Corrine spoke out to share an update about his condition, insisting that her father had been ‘out of the hospital for weeks’ and had even been ‘playing pickleball’. That details of that statement were then confirmed to DailyMail.com by a spokesperson for Foxx.

However just two days later, Corrine was pictured visiting her father at a physical rehab center in Chicago. The facility is touted as the top physical medicine and rehabilitation center in the country, treats ‘the most severe, complex conditions’, and specializes in the treatment of severe conditions like strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

Jamie is understood to have arrived at the facility in late April and is ‘recovering well’ after first getting treatment at a hospital in Atlanta.

It is still unclear what the actor has been in hospital for, with his family reluctant to release any specific information.

‘Update from the family: Sad to see how the media runs wild,’ Corinne wrote in May, alongside a report that claimed his loved ones had been ‘preparing for the worst.’

‘My Dad has been out of the hospital for weeks, recuperating. In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyone’s prayers and support!’