Tourette activist John Davidson says he felt humiliated after yelling the N-word at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during Sunday’s 2026 BAFTAs.
In a statement to Deadline, Davidson said, “I deeply regret that anyone would think that my involuntary tics were intentional or meant anything.”
“I was there to celebrate the release of Lifetime’s film ‘I Swear,’ which explains the origins, condition, characteristics, and symptoms of Tourette syndrome better than any film or television documentary,” he continued.
“I have spent my life supporting and empowering the Tourette’s community, teaching empathy, kindness and understanding from others, and will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early in the ceremony because I recognized the pain that tics cause.”
BAFTA also apologized “unreservedly” for the incident in a statement on Monday, saying it took “full responsibility” for putting “our guests in a very difficult situation”.
“We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism,” it said in part.
“We take our duty of care to all of our guests very seriously, and we start from an inclusive position.” “We took steps to make attendees aware of tics and announced to the audience long before the ceremony began that John would be in the room and that strong words, involuntary noises, and movements could be heard during the ceremony.”
“We will learn from this, put inclusion at the core of everything we do, and maintain our belief in film and storytelling as critical conduits of compassion and empathy.”
Jordan and Lind were presenting the award for Best Visual Effects for Avatar: Fire and Ash at the BAFTAs when a shocking explosion was heard by the audience.
The cast of ‘Sinners’ continued to present despite the awkward moment, and BAFTA presenter Alan Cumming later apologized.
“You may have noticed that there is strong language in the background. This may be part of how Tourette syndrome manifests for some people, as the film explores that experience,” Cumming told the audience. “Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in creating a respectful space for everyone.”
Cumming later addressed this issue further, stating that “people with Tourette syndrome have no control over language.”
The BBC apologized on Monday for not editing the moments before they aired.
“It will be removed from the version of BBC iPlayer,” a spokesperson for the broadcaster said in a statement.
Lind later said that no one from BAFTA contacted him or Jordan after the racial slurs were hurled at them.
Lindor, 73, acknowledged that he and Jordan, 39, “did what[they]had to do” and continued their presentation during a conversation with Vanity Fair at the Warner Bros. afterparty, saying: “I wish someone at BAFTA had spoken to[them]afterwards.”
Davidson was the inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, which was based on his life.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Tourette syndrome is a disorder that involves repetitive movements and unwanted sounds, or tics, that cannot be easily controlled.
This incident has caused a huge stir. Jamie Foxx criticized Davidson in an Instagram comment, calling the moment “unacceptable.”
“No, that’s what he meant,” Fox wrote. “Of all the words, can you say that Tourette’s words say that?”
But actor Robert Aramayo, who played Davidson in The Vow and won Sunday’s BAFTA Best Actor Award, defended him.
“First of all, it’s a tic. He has a tic. We have to understand,” he told a BBC reporter after Sunday’s ceremony, according to the Daily Mail. “How we view Tourette’s is a collective responsibility. It’s not about shouting obscenities.”
“It’s not abuse. It’s Tourette’s. It’s tics,” he added. “If that leads to a deeper understanding of Tourette’s and the film becomes part of that conversation, that’s great.”
