Jamie Foxx has paid tribute to his sister DeOndra Dixon, who has died at the age of 36.
The 52-year-old Oscar winner said that his ‘heart is shattered’ as he confirmed the news in an Instagram post.
Sharing a collection of photos showing him and his sister together, Foxx described her as a ‘bright light’.
He wrote: “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…
“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…
“Even gave her boyfriend @chrisbrownofficial a run for his money.”
He spoke about how she loved to dance – she even appeared with Foxx on the Grammys stage. She also starred in the music video for his 2008 track ‘Blame It’.
Foxx added: “DeOndra you have left a hole in my 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.”
Ms Dixon is reported to have died on 19 October, with family friend Chris Brown sharing – and then later deleting – a post that confirmed she had passed away.
In the post, 31-year-old Brown wrote: “Lost one of my best friends and one of the most beautiful souls I know.”
Ms Dixon was born with Down Syndrome and became the ambassador for Global Down Syndrome Foundation.
The organisation shared its own tribute to her, describing her as a ‘true angel’.
It said: “DeOndra was brought into this world in a loving family who treated her like any other family member. They gave her the gifts of complete acceptance, confidence, and knowledge.
“They empowered her to graduate with a regular diploma from high school and to take life by storm, which, if you knew DeOndra, she absolutely did.”
It added: “We have lost our talented, intelligent, feisty, beautiful, kind, loving, caring, pure and giving heart, DeOndra Dixon.
“Our Down syndrome community has lost a beacon of hope, a true leader, and role model whose aim was to always help others. She was a bright light in this world of ours.”
