Actor, comedian and musician Jamie Foxx has been a world-renowned entertainer for decades. However, many may not know he has a younger sister who has served as his backbone and inspiration.
DeOndra Dixon is the sister of Jamie Foxx and happens to have Down syndrome. The 35-year-old has never allowed the condition to stop her from reaching her goals. Down syndrome is a congenital disorder with a wide range of developmental and physical disabilities. According to the National Down Syndrome Society, roughly 6,000 infants with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year.
In 2002, Dixon graduated from Terrell High School in Terrell, Texas, and then moved to California with Foxx.
“I said, ‘You’re going to come here and stay here with me,’” Foxx told Dateline NBC in an August 2018 interview. “But DeOndra was the main purpose. I didn’t know what she was going to have to do as far as fending for herself and becoming an adult.”
Foxx credits her for teaching him how to live a better life.
“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 said of his sister. “And then you see this girl over here. ‘I just want to live. I want to dance. I want to love.’ She brings you back down to what life is.”
Dixon has dedicated her life to advocacy. She currently works with Global Down Syndrome Foundation serving as an ambassador for the organization. Her advocacy work earned her the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award for outstanding service in self-advocacy and public service. Growing up, DeOndra struggled with being treated differently because of her disability.
"Go to school, play, have fun — there’s nothing different about you!” Foxx recalled telling her in a conversation with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GDSF).
Dixon and her brother are constantly collaborating on projects. In 2018, the pair partook in the 10th annual BBBY Fashion Show hosted by the GDSF. She also appeared in Foxx's 2008 music video for "Blame It" and danced onstage with the Ray actor at the 2010 Grammys.
