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Michael B. Jordan’s Reaction After BAFTA Audience Member Shouted The N-Word At Him Revealed
A moment meant to be celebratory at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards took an unexpected turn when a racial slur was shouted from the audience while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting on stage.
The outburst occurred on February 22 at London’s Royal Festival Hall and was later attributed to a guest with Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological condition that causes involuntary verbal tics.
Highlights
- During the 2026 BAFTA Awards, a racial slur was shouted at presenters Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
- Sources reveal both actors were "disgusted" but chose to finish their presentation without addressing the slur on stage.
- BBC issued a private apology that Jordan accepted.
- The event has sparked a global debate on how to balance the neurological reality of coprolalia with the genuine racial harm caused to those targeted.
While the moment was brief, reports revealed that the remark lingered long after the cameras cut away.
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Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo opted not to address the racial slur while presenting on stage at the 2026 BAFTA Awards
Image credits: Tommaso Boddi/Variety via Getty Images
According to multiple reports, including The Hollywood Reporter, Vanity Fair, BBC, and Daily Mail, the slur was heard while the Sinners stars were presenting the award for Best Visual Effects.
The comment came from John Davidson, the Tourette’s campaigner whose life inspired the BAFTA-nominated film, I Swear.
Sources told the Daily Mail that both actors were “disgusted” by what was said, but at the moment, they decided not to address it publicly.
Image credits: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images
Image credits: aproko_units
“Delroy and Michael, like everyone else, didn’t expect what happened to happen,” one insider said.
“In the moment, they didn’t know what was happening… they both agreed they did the right thing and didn’t address it, didn’t give it any life more than it ended up turning into.”
Another source claimed organizers spent much of the evening attempting to downplay the situation backstage, a move that Jordan and Lindo did not appreciate.
“It ruined the night,” the insider alleged, adding that Jordan accepted a direct apology from the BBC the following day, though people close to him were “not completely convinced” there were no racist undertones.
BAFTA and the BBC issued apologies to Jordan and Lindo following the backlash, while Davidson shared that he was “deeply mortified”
Image credits: Iona Wolff/BAFTA via Getty Images
calling michael b jordan and delroy lindo the n-word during black history month?! https://t.co/nNjdMPfmVXpic.twitter.com/UQ4I5Ow0Kg
— chu (@THEHORRORGOTH) February 22, 2026
Image credits: RachelCDailey_
BAFTA later released a formal statement acknowledging the “very offensive language” heard during the broadcast and apologizing “unreservedly” to Jordan, Lindo, and all those impacted.
The organization also confirmed that the outburst came from Davidson, who has Tourette’s syndrome.
BAFTA further shared that attendees had been warned that Davidson was present and that they “may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.”
Image credits: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images
Still, the slur was audible in the two-hour delayed broadcast, prompting additional criticism.
Following BAFTA’s statement, Davidson also addressed the issue and said, “I can only add that I am and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.”
Image credits: Karwai Tang/WireImage
Image credits: redpilledkitty
“I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs.”
He added that he chose to leave the auditorium early after realizing the distress caused by his tics.
U.K. charity Tourette’s Action defended Davidson, stating that such verbal tics are “not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions, or character.”
While Jordan accepted the apology, Lindo shared that he wished someone from BAFTA had spoken to them directly
Image credits: iamjamiefoxx
While the organization responded publicly, Lindo later told Vanity Fair at an after-party that he wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards.”
Production designer Hannah Beachler, who said she was also targeted by the slur later in the evening, described the situation as “almost impossible” but admitted, “Of course, we were offended.”
She also criticized what she described as a “throw-away apology of ‘if you were offended’” delivered from the stage.
Image credits: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
Image credits: markjon92428044
The public acknowledgement of disability and harm quickly became central to the wider debate.
“Shouting a racial slur at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo isn’t ‘activism’ — it’s unacceptable. Tourette’s is real. So is accountability. Both can be acknowledged without excusing harm,” one person wrote online.
Another added, “Respect has to be matched by accountability.”
The incident further sparked a tense conversation about disability and accountability among online viewers
Image credits: johndavidsonmbe
Image credits: goodmorningamerica
“They don’t need an apology. It was an uncontrollable action caused by a disability,” one commenter argued.
However, others strongly disagreed.
“The apology to Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo must be as loud and as public as the disrespect,” read one widely shared response.
Image credits: RachelCDailey_
Image credits: bjordanfiles
“Absolutely. When the offense is public, the accountability should match — loud, clear, and sincere,” another wrote.
Some comments reflected skepticism, with one noting, “Interesting that people with Tourette’s never yell ‘appropriate’ things.”
BAFTA concluded its statement by sharing that it takes “full responsibility” for placing guests in a “very difficult situation” and vowed to “learn from this.”
“If he had been a rap artist, it would have been totally fine,” wrote one user
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Joey Marlin 9 hours ago
Tourettes is a neurological development disorder and his brain will select the very word he doesn't want to say. He intended no insult to anyone and intent really matters. They were warned that he would likely 'tic' and he did. The audience applauded at the time the warning was given, providing him support and then it's pulled away from him. He left the audience and watched from from a separate room in the end. It's sad. Everyone should watch I Swear and get a better understanding. Some are saying he shouldn't be allowed out! Ye gods, do better people.
Roni Stone 6 hours ago
So. Much. This. My daughter has Tourette's. She does not have coprolalia - only about 10% have that particular tic, but I've met some who do. And yes, those who are afflicted with vocal tics, especially coprolalia, will most often feel compelled to say the very, very last thing they would ever want to say. Tourette's is a condition of "disinhibition". We all know things we are never, ever supposed to say, especially in public, because they are simply taboo words - cursing loudly in church, for example, or spitting (yes, that's a vocal tic) on random people for no reason. It has absolutely no connection to how the speaker feels about the word, or the sentiment or implication behind the word. In this case, Tourette's resulted in a horribly humiliating moment for Mr. Davidson, and an understandably angering moment for Mr. Jordan and Mr. Lindo.
Load More Replies...
Lee Gilliland 10 hours ago
I had an uncle with Tourette's. It made Thanksgiving and Christmas....interesting, to say the least.
UKDeek 1 hour ago
John Davidson had every right to be at the award show, especially as the film about his life had been nominated. A man who has spent his life campaigning to raise awareness of tourettes and dispell the stigma around the condition, and He was awarded a MBE for his work. When he went for his MBE he was so stressed he started ticcing, coming out with some very upsetting statements, but one of the Queen's bodyguards put him at rest and told him the Queen fully understood his condition. It is sad to see the level of bile being spewed towards him - yes, some of the things he said were uncomfortable, but none of what he said was intentional, and probably caused him a huge amount of embarrasment and anxiety. Whatever happened to "Be Kind"?
Joey Marlin 9 hours ago
Tourettes is a neurological development disorder and his brain will select the very word he doesn't want to say. He intended no insult to anyone and intent really matters. They were warned that he would likely 'tic' and he did. The audience applauded at the time the warning was given, providing him support and then it's pulled away from him. He left the audience and watched from from a separate room in the end. It's sad. Everyone should watch I Swear and get a better understanding. Some are saying he shouldn't be allowed out! Ye gods, do better people.
Roni Stone 6 hours ago
So. Much. This. My daughter has Tourette's. She does not have coprolalia - only about 10% have that particular tic, but I've met some who do. And yes, those who are afflicted with vocal tics, especially coprolalia, will most often feel compelled to say the very, very last thing they would ever want to say. Tourette's is a condition of "disinhibition". We all know things we are never, ever supposed to say, especially in public, because they are simply taboo words - cursing loudly in church, for example, or spitting (yes, that's a vocal tic) on random people for no reason. It has absolutely no connection to how the speaker feels about the word, or the sentiment or implication behind the word. In this case, Tourette's resulted in a horribly humiliating moment for Mr. Davidson, and an understandably angering moment for Mr. Jordan and Mr. Lindo.
Load More Replies... Lee Gilliland 10 hours ago
I had an uncle with Tourette's. It made Thanksgiving and Christmas....interesting, to say the least.
UKDeek 1 hour ago
John Davidson had every right to be at the award show, especially as the film about his life had been nominated. A man who has spent his life campaigning to raise awareness of tourettes and dispell the stigma around the condition, and He was awarded a MBE for his work. When he went for his MBE he was so stressed he started ticcing, coming out with some very upsetting statements, but one of the Queen's bodyguards put him at rest and told him the Queen fully understood his condition. It is sad to see the level of bile being spewed towards him - yes, some of the things he said were uncomfortable, but none of what he said was intentional, and probably caused him a huge amount of embarrasment and anxiety. Whatever happened to "Be Kind"?
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