Thursday, February 26, 2026 - Michael B. Jordan was reportedly left “disgusted” after a racial slur was shouted from the audience while he was on stage presenting at the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday night.
The actor had taken to the stage at London’s Royal Festival
Hall alongside his Sinners co-star Delroy Lindo to present the award for Best
Visual Effects when Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson was heard shouting the
N-word. The outburst prompted audible gasps from the audience.
In the aftermath, the BBC removed the full ceremony from
iPlayer following backlash for not editing out the moment before broadcast. The
incident drew further criticism as other politically sensitive remarks had
reportedly been cut from the telecast.
Lindo later told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan “did what we
had to do” while presenting, but added he wished “someone from Bafta spoke to
us afterward.”
A source told Metro that Jordan, 39, was “repulsed by the
outburst,” saying the actor had immersed himself in research on the
psychological impact of racism to prepare for his role in Sinners, a horror
film set in 1932 Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. The source claimed the
moment was particularly upsetting given the film’s themes and Jordan’s personal
ties to communities historically affected by racial terror.
Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome and whose symptoms
include involuntary verbal tics, later issued an apology stating he was “deeply
mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry
any meaning.”
BAFTA host Alan Cumming addressed the situation during the
ceremony, explaining that Tourette syndrome involves involuntary language
outbursts and thanking attendees for their understanding. However, criticism
continued online, with some questioning the handling of the incident and the
broadcast decision.
In a subsequent statement, the BBC apologised for the
“strong and offensive language,” acknowledging that it had not been edited out
prior to transmission and confirming it would be removed from the on-demand
version.
BAFTA also issued a direct apology to Jordan and Lindo,
stating: “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.”
Despite the controversy, Sinners, written and directed by
Ryan Coogler, emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners. The film won Best
Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, Best Original Score for Ludwig Göransson,
and Best Original Screenplay for Coogler — marking the first time a Black
filmmaker has won in that category. The film also received 13 BAFTA nominations
and 16 Oscar nominations earlier this awards season.
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