The actor opened up about the relationship with his sister and said the "love that persons with special needs give" is "unfiltered."
Jamie Foxx was given up for adoption by his mother at a young age. It didn't stop him from loving and caring for his biological sister, DeOndra Dixon, who was born with Down Syndrome. Dixon was Foxx's mother Louise Annette Dixon and his stepfather George Dixon's daughter. He first met her when he was 16 years old. He felt that connection instantly. "We weren’t trippin’ on the fact that she had Down syndrome," he told PEOPLE in November 2011. "We were trippin’ on the fact that she was cute. She was this little chocolate ball."
Opening up on his relationship with his sister, the actor said: "love that persons with special needs give" is "unfiltered." He added, "There is nothing in the way of them loving you and there is nothing in the way of them being upset with you either." She started participating in the Special Olympics when she was in the 6th grade and was active for more than 9 years. After graduating from high school in Texas in 2002, she moved to live with Foxx and the rest of the family. She believed that "she was born to dance" and wanted to become a professional dancer.
She was also "happy to have a big brother to count on." And Foxx supported her and wanted to help her fulfill her dreams. “My brother has given me a chance to do some special things,” Dixon wrote. “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 Grammys!” Moreover, she was the Ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation in 2011. Foxx gave his mother the credit for her being successful. “That’s a testament to [our] mom. Mom asked the kids at the school to just look out for her but treat her normally. She’s had a regular life, she’s just as well-adjusted as any person that you would see out there.”
He "learned how to live" from her. Foxx said, "Sometimes we get caught up in our world on the extras of everything — 'Ah, the Mercedes is not the right color!' 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." Sadly, on October 19, 2022, Dixon died. Foxx shared the news on Instagram with a black-and-white picture of them. "My heart is shattered into a million pieces... my beautiful loving sister Deondra has transitioned... I say transition because she will always be alive... anyone who knew my sis... knew that she was a bright light..." He added, "well I know she is in heaven now dancing with her wings on."
He added that she has "left a hole in his heart." But I will fill it with all of the memories that you gave me ... 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... 💔💔💔" In another post, he wrote, "Deondra I know ur in heaven making everyone laugh… and have everyone dancing to your songs. I miss you terribly, but I know that your soul is shining bright. I love u forever."
References:
https://people.com/movies/jamie-foxxs-younger-sister-deondra-dixon-dies-at-36/
https://www.instagram.com/iamjamiefoxx/
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Tom Cooper
