Update: A few minutes after this was published, BAFTA issued a statement that can be read in full below.
Last night, during the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) a racial slur was inadvertently shouted by an audience member. While “Sinners’” Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were presenting an award, Tourettes syndrome campaigner John Davidson shouted the N-word due to his condition.
Now Lindo has spoken out about BAFTA’s response, or lack thereof.
Lindo told Vanity Fair that he wished, “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards.” When the slur was shouted, the pair continued to present and “did what we had to do.”
Davidson was in attendance because of the new biopic based on him, “I Swear.” So the organisation informed the audience prior to the awards that he may have some outbursts. But after the slur was heard, host Alan Cumming addressed the issue directly.
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience,” Cumming explained from the stage. “Thanks for your understanding and for helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
Many sources are reporting that Davidson removed himself from the auditorium shortly after.
Others Affected Weigh In
“Sinners’” production designer Hannah Beachler was also in attendance and weighed in on X (formerly Twitter).
“I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can’t find the words,” her post reads. “The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show. And a third time at a Black woman. I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of “if you were offended” at the end of the show. Of course we were offended…but our frequency, our spiritual vibration is tuned to a higher level than what happened. I am not steal, this did not bounce off of me, but I exist above it. It can’t take away from who I am as an artist.”
The incident has since been removed from any rebroadcasts, but wasn’t removed on the delayed telecast.
BAFTA Speaks Out
After Lindo and Beachler held BAFTA accountable, the organisation released a statement directly addressing the issue.
“At the BAFTA Film Awards last night our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.
One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette Syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over. Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the BAFTA nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.
We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.
Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”
You can read Beachler’s post below:
