Racial slur shouted live at BAFTAS

By Brionna Gillis

Courtesy of ABC7

At the 2026 BAFTA awards “Sinners” stars, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, were presenting the award for best visual effects during Sunday’s ceremony, when Tourette syndrome advocate, John Davidson, ticked the n-word. 

The two actors paused looking visibly confused but eventually carried on with presenting the award. 

“I am especially disappointed that people completely disregarded the feelings of two black men publicly humiliated on an international stage while simply trying to celebrate the hard work put in for a film,” said Sobenna Egwuekwe, a fourth-year, English major with a concentration in film studies. “This moment in particular is outshining the record breaking that “Sinners” continues to do. This being more talked about than Ryan Coogler being the first black person to win best original screen play. That’s disappointing.” 

Davidson was in attendance to represent the BAFTA-nominated film, “I Swear,” a movie based on his life and experiences with Tourette’s syndrome. The Tourette Association of America says about 10-15% of people with the syndrome experience a kind of vocal tic called coprolia, involving swearing, slurs, and other socially unacceptable words or phrases. 

“I’ve worked with someone who has Tourettes, and outbursts happen. I wouldn’t say that it’s necessarily racist but an apology still needs to be made because that is a known slur,” said Alphonse Isaac, a third-year biology premed major. 

After the incident, many Black people took to social media to express their anger and disappointment with the situation, with some demanding an apology and others confused as to why that part of the show wasn’t edited out. 

“Sinners” costume designer, Hannah Bleacher, said in a thread on X that several other inappropriate shouts were audible during the first part of the ceremony, one of which she claimed was directed at her.

“Regardless of condition an apology should be issued from both Davidson and the Baftas as they were able to edit out “Free Palestine "from a speech but not a racial slur,” said Olivia Benjamin, a second-year political science major on the pre-law track. 

Both Davidson and the BAFTAS have released statements. Davidson said he was “deeply mortified” and what he said was “not a reflection of my personal beliefs.” While the BAFTAS apologized for “offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many,” adding “We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”