Live Awards Show Racial Slur Ignites Firestorm And Debate Over Tourette’s

A judge for the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) has resigned after a man with Tourette’s syndrome shouted the n-word during Sunday night’s televised ceremony, sparking backlash over how the incident was handled.

Jonte Richardson resigned from BAFTA’s emerging talent judging panel, calling the organization’s handling of the situation “utterly unforgivable,” Variety reported.

The controversy began when Tourette’s advocate John Davidson shouted the slur while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the award for Best Visual Effects. Both presenters are black, and the moment drew particular criticism given the word’s history and the setting.

Davidson has said Tourette’s syndrome includes coprolalia, a vocal tic that can involve “involuntary outburst of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks.” He and advocacy groups said the symptom was responsible for the slur shouted during the presentation. 

“I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy, and expertise to an organization that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its black guests, members, and the black creative community,” Richardson said in a statement.

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BAFTA and the BBC, which broadcast the remarks, are facing backlash for initially airing the ceremony without editing out the slur. 

Following the incident, the event host, BAFTA, and Davidson each issued apologies. Davidson said he was “deeply mortified” by what occurred. 

“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. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone,” host Alan Cumming said immediately afterward.

“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,” Davidson said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. 

Davidson said he appreciated that the audience had been warned in advance that his tics are involuntary and not reflective of his beliefs, adding that he was “heartened” by applause that followed. He said he later chose to leave the ceremony early because he was “aware of the distress” the incident had caused. 

Davidson also said he has “spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community” and remains committed to promoting empathy and understanding.

In its own statement, BAFTA acknowledged that guests “heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many” and apologized for the “harm this has caused” while thanking Davidson for “his dignity and consideration.”

The U.K.-based charity Tourette’s Action also issued a statement stressing that Davidson’s remarks were involuntary.

In a statement posted to Instagram, Tourette’s Action said it was “deeply sorry to the black community for the harm caused” while emphasizing that tics are “not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions, or character.”

The organization added that people with Tourette’s might say words they do not mean or endorse because the symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and said media backlash over the incident “has been extremely saddening.”