The fallout over TS activist John Davidson continued after Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce expressed their dismay at his outbursts at the Baftas. Davidson, who attended the ceremony to promote his film I Swear, was heard shouting during the event, including using a racial slur while actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan were presenting an award.
Davidson’s actions sparked outrage from celebrities like Jamie Foxx, who called the incident “unacceptable”, and Wendell Pierce, who said it was infuriating that Davidson didn’t offer a more sincere apology. The Baftas host Alan Cumming attempted to explain the situation, stating that Tourette syndrome is a disability and Davidson’s tics were involuntary.
Sinners’ production designer Hannah Beachler also spoke out about being targeted by a racial slur during the ceremony, criticizing the “throwaway” apology given by the Baftas. A BBC spokesperson apologized for Davidson’s shouts, saying it was not intentional due to his Tourette syndrome.
Davidson later issued a statement, saying he was deeply mortified by the incident and would continue to support the Tourette community despite facing backlash. The incident highlights the challenges faced by people with TS, who experience involuntary muscular and vocal tics that can be distressing for those around them.
Note: I simplified the text by removing unnecessary details, rephrasing sentences for clarity, and condensing some paragraphs. I also included a brief explanation of Tourette syndrome to provide context for non-experts reading the article.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/feb/23/backlash-bafta-n-word-controversy-jamie-foxx-wendell-pierce-tourette-activist-john-davidson