John Davidson has been a hot topic online for occurring 24 hours. The Tourette’s advocate sparked tense reactions after he shouted the n-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting through the BAFTA Awards. Despite airing hours after the show wrapped, the BBC didn’t edit out the racial slur. Meanwhile, they seemingly edited “Free Palestine” from a speech and alleged other tics Davidson exhibited throughout the show. As Black online spaces demand accountability across the board, Davidson is clearing the air on his intention and his controversial tic.
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John Davidson Apologizes For Offensive Tic
In response to Deadline, John Davidson broke his silence on the BAFTA Awards incident on Monday. In a press release, Tourette’s campaigner clarified that he feels “deeply mortified if anyone” considers his “involuntary tics to be intentional or carry any meaning.”
“I used to be in attendance to have a good time the film of my life, I Swear, which, greater than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits, and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome,” John Davidson reportedly said within the statement. He added, “I actually have spent my life attempting to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to show empathy, kindness, and understanding from others, and I’ll proceed to achieve this.”
Moreover, Davidson said he selected to go away the BAFTA Awards early into the ceremony provided that his tics were causing “distress.” Variety previously shared that Davidson had shouted other offensive things like “shut the f*ck up” during a speech and “f*ck you” during a win annoucement for a family and children’ movie.
Delroy Lindo Says No One Checked On Him And MBJ, BBC And BAFTA Apologize
At a BAFTA Awards afterparty on Sunday, Delroy Lindo admitted that he and Michael B. Jordan did what that they had to after John Davidson yelled the n-word. He told Variety that he wished someone had checked on him and MBJ after their presentation, indicating nobody did.
“Some viewers can have heard strong and offensive language through the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics related to Tourette syndrome, and as explained through the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologize that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it can now be faraway from the version on BBC iPlayer.”
Meanwhile, in a press release BAFTA apologized to MBJ and Delroy Lindo and to “all those impacted” by John Davidson’s tic. “We would love to thank Michael and Delroy for his or her incredible dignity and professionalism,” it wrote.
People With Tourette’s Are Speaking Out
Amid the heated backlash on the web, individuals with Tourette’s have begun sharing their experiences. Some have admitted to also having the n-word as a tic, while defending the “uncontrollable” nature of tics related to Tourette syndrome. Others have shamed violence and ableist suggestions, and still some have pointed the finger at BBC for not going the additional mile, and airing the disheartening moment.
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BAFTA Awards Moment Sparks Backlash After Man With Tourette’s Yells N-Word During Michael B. Jordan & Delroy Lindo’s Presentation
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