The BAFTAs had an unexpected — and deeply uncomfortable — moment Sunday night. Tourette’s activist John Davidson shouted the N‑word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were onstage. Actor and host Alan Cumming immediately addressed the outbursts, reminding the audience that involuntary tics are a symptom of Tourette’s syndrome and asking for understanding as the ceremony continued.
“This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people, as the film explores that experience,” Cumming explained. “Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
“Asking for more grace for the person who shouted a racist slur instead of for Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who had to push through being embarrassed in front of their peers,” journalist Jemele Hill said in response. “But that’s often the expectation — that Black people are just supposed to be OK with being disrespected and dehumanized so that other people don’t feel bad.”
The BAFTAs later issued a statement saying they had notified attendees in advance that Davidson would be present and that strong language or sudden noises could occur. Still, the organization apologized “unreservedly” to Jordan, Lindo, and anyone impacted after the slur rang out early in the show.