Jamie Foxx is currently grieving a big loss — his younger sister. DeOndra Dixon died at the age of 36, and the actor had nothing but kindness to share when telling his fans.
DeOndra was born with Down syndrome, which his family openly embraced. In 2018, Jamie opened up about what it was like welcoming her into the family. As he said, it was DeOndra who really taught him how to live.
"I learned how to live. Sometimes we get caught up in our world on the extras of everything — 'Ah, the Mercedes is not the right color!'" he stated, per People magazine. "And then you see this girl over here, 'I just want to live. I want to dance. I want to love.' So she brings you back down to what life is."
In 2011, he spoke to People about what it was like welcoming her into the world. Jamie remembers it well, as he was a teenager at the time. "We weren't trippin' on the fact that she had Down syndrome," he said. "We were trippin’ on the fact that she was cute. She was this little chocolate ball."
In mourning the loss publicly, he gave a beautiful tribute. It's obvious the two of them were very close.
"My heart is shattered into a million pieces… my beautiful loving sister Deondra has transitioned… I say transitioned because she will always be alive… anyone who knew my sis… knew that she was a bright light," he wrote on Instagram. "I can't tell you how many times we have had parties at the house where she has got on the dance floor and stolen the show."
"I know she is in heaven now dancing with her wings on," he continued. "Though my pain is unbelievable I smile when I think of all of the great memories that she left me… my family… and her friends… from dancing in the blame it video… to Dancing on the Grammys… And becoming The ambassador to @globaldownsyndrome… from sliding down my stairs with a grin as wide as the rio grand."
"Deondra you have left A hole in my heart… but I will fill it with all of the memories that you gave me," he said. "I love you with every ounce of me… our family is shattered but we will put the pieces back together with your love… and y'all please keep my family in your prayers."
Back in 2011, DeOndra was named an ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. She was honored to receive the recognition and wrote some wonderful words about the honor on the foundation's website. "I was born with Down syndrome," she wrote. "My father told me this was very tough for him. He was hurt and confused. He didn't know anything about Down syndrome."
But she noted that her family always loved her just as she was. "They never set limits and always make me feel I can touch the sky," she wrote. "I started participating in Special Olympics when I was in the 6th grade. I participated in the Special Olympics for over 9 years and won many awards and medals."
She also touched on how she was blessed. "I am proud of myself," she said. "I have a job at my school. I am the Ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and I won the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award! I am special. I feel I was born to dance. I want to be a professional dancer. My brother has given me a chance to do some special things. I danced in his video 'Blame It.' I've danced on stage at some of his concerts all over the country. And guess what? I've danced at the Grammy's!"
Despite her disabilities, DeOndra made sure to live a fun and happy life. She didn't let Down syndrome stop her from putting herself out there. "Lots of kids with Down syndrome never get a chance to shine or chase their dreams," she wrote. "Each one has something to offer and each one has a dream."
Jamie was especially proud of her honor as an ambassador. "One thing people may not understand is that the love a person with special needs gives you is unfiltered," he told People. "There is nothing in the way of them loving you and there is nothing in the way of them being upset with you either. You really get the true individual."
DeOndra wasn't just Jamie's sister. She was also his roommate in Los Angeles. And she was always fully aware that she had a very special relationship with her older brother. "I'm happy to have a big brother to count on, who I love every day," she said.
DeOndra wasn't Jamie's only sister. He's also the older brother of Deidra Dixon. Working as a makeup artist behind the scenes (and on plenty of Jamie's projects), she also lived with Jamie and DeOndra. It's sweet that the three of them were so uniquely close.
It's been a difficult few years for Jamie Foxx. Not only did he lose his sister, but he ended his six-year relationship with Katie Holmes. The two were dating in private and never made the romance official to their fans, but it was obvious that they had something special going on.
It was also a loss for Katie's daughter, Suri, whom she shares with ex-husband Tom Cruise. "Suri loves Jamie, he makes her laugh and he's a really good influence on her," an insider said to Closer Weekly prior to their split. "He has daughters so he knows how to talk to girls about what's going on, he really gets deep with her about school and boys and bullies, which Katie loves."
While Down syndrome can be a scary diagnosis, things have gotten much better for those born with it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a child living with Down syndrome in the 1960s was estimated to live until the age of 10. Now that life expectancy has bumped up to 47, meaning that those with Down syndrome can still live a pretty full life.
Even if he was expecting to face this news someday, nobody is ever fully prepared. Jamie can rest knowing that he helped make DeOndra's life special. It also shows Jamie's true character. He stands behind his family, and he isn't afraid to help them out with their own career goals and dreams.
